McDermott ecstatic with ‘gutsy’ performance

Reading manager Brian McDermott has spoken of his praise for his side’s dogged performance against Millwall, which saw them come from a goal behind.

Former Leeds striker Andy Keogh broke the Royals’ fantastic defensive record, of not conceding for nearly 500 minutes, within 16 minutes of the match. However, Hal Robson-Kanu replied on the verge of half-time with a superb striker and substitute Adam Le Fondre grabbed the points with 15 minutes to play.

McDermott told the official RFC site: ”It might not have been the best-looking game to watch but, for me, it was a fantastic performance on a tough pitch to play on. The way we kept going and the guts that we have shown today. And that is the word I’d use – complete and utter guts.’

‘I knew that was going to be a different kind of game to the ones we’ve had in the last two games against Burnley and Middlesbrough. I watched their game at Burnley, they were very good and made it difficult for Burnley – so to come here today, off the back of their result, it’s a fantastic result for us.’

The 50-year old also described Robson-Kanu’s sublime volley as one of the best goals he has ever seen. The victory was Reading’s sixth in a row and keeps the pressure firmly on West Ham and Southampton in the promotion places. McDermott’s side will now move to Tuesday night’s game against financial-troubled Portsmouth.