Ross praises McGeady for part in Sunderland victory - 7M sport

Ross praises McGeady for part in Sunderland victory



Posted Sunday, February 24, 2019 by PA

Ross praises McGeady for part in Sunderland victory

Jack Ross praised the quality of man-of-the-match Aiden McGeady after a comprehensive 21-0 victory at the Memorial Stadium.

The Sunderland boss was delighted that his goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin never had a shot to save from relegation-threatened Rovers, who ran up against a brick wall in central defenders Tom Flanagan and Jimmy Dunne.

But at the other end, it was former Everton midfielder McGeady, with a perfectly-flighted cross in the build-up to the first goal and a sweetly-struck free-kick for the second, who made the difference.

“Aidan has been a match-winner before for us this season,” said Ross.

“Having been in a relegation squad, he is desperate to get the club back to the Championship where a player of his calibre should be performing.

“We needed to create the environment to make the most of his ability and he is enjoying his football at the moment.

“This was always going to be a tough game, with Rovers having so much to play for, and I was pleased with the way we dealt with their threat.

“To bring 1,400 fans on the long trip to Bristol was great. We have a fantastic fan base and, while they can be demanding, our supporters are second to none.

“I am looking forward to the flight back tonight because some of them will be on it. It will be a much happier trip on the back of a win.”

Luke O’Nien shot Sunderland ahead from close range after 25 minutes following McGeady’s measured ball to the far post from the right had been turned across the six-yard box by Will Grigg.

Rovers never looked capable of responding and when Liam Sercombe was penalised for handball in a central position just outside the box after 55 minutes, McGeady confidently found the top corner with curling right-footed free-kick.

Home boss Graham Coughlan took no consolation from losing to one of the promotion favourites.

“After the first goal we went into our shells and we have to be better than that,” said the Rovers manager.

“I am very upset and disappointed. I pride myself on attention to detail and we have not shown that today, which has really cost us.

“Their first goal came from a short corner. We haven’t reacted and then allowed an international striker in Will Grigg to drift off us at the far post.

“I have to sit down and look at personnel and formation because we are not getting things right going forward in home games. God knows what we were doing with some of our set-pieces because they were awful.

“They are better than us, but I hate losing any football match. We have to pick ourselves up again, which we have done before since I took charge, and go again for the Blackpool match next Saturday.”

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.