Manager Mark Warburton has reflected on another pleasing victory over Falkirk at the weekend and he’s delighted with a return of nine wins so far this Championship season.
Video – Warburton & Wallace On Falkirk Win
Video – Falkirk Highlights
Speaking to the Official Site following the three one victory, Warburton heaped praise on the side for their battling display because he knew they had to dig in and roll up their sleeves to take the maximum return on the day against a tough and second placed Falkirk.
Nine wins on the bounce, a 100% record intact and a return of 31 goals also gave the gaffer reason to smile.
‘They`ve played nine and won nine so it`s a tremendous achievement by the players, but sometimes you have to win ugly and that was one of those games. Falkirk came with a real game plan, they were resilient, dangerous on the counter attack, well organised and showed a real desire and commitment. So they were a dangerous opponent today and we had to be patient and have some belief in what we were doing, don`t lose self-belief. The rewards came late in the game so really pleasing.’
With Dean Shiels returning to the starting eleven and making his return known with the opening goal after only three minutes, Warburton admitted he was delighted for the player because he’d really been working hard in training and when he was given an introduction from the bench.
‘He`s trained so well, he`s made a real impact when he has come on as substitute so he`s got a magnificent attitude Dean. He works hard every day, he`s a great character on and off the pitch and has a real desire to play football. He deserved it today and did very well.’
As for Falkirk’s goal on the day levelling matters for a period until we struck late on twice, Warburton doffed his cap to the strike.
‘It was a great strike. The corner went long and then the guy headed it back and did well. We got to the ball but it was a great strike and nine out of 10 times they fly into row x in the back of the stand. That one hit the top corner but later in the game Lee Wallace`s strike is equally as good and likewise Tavernier.’
Speaking more about Tavernier, Warburton added that his goal scoring form for us wasn’t a fluke – nine already for the campaign – it’s something he works hard on.
‘They are not lucky, he works hard, Waggy with the penalties, Andy Halliday and all these guys, they work hard, they practise free-kicks and set-pieces so we are pleased to see them get their rewards. But as I say it`s no fluke, they do practise them very hard and I`m delighted for Tav. He`s an attacking full-back. You can press them back and much of the defending is done higher up the pitch. So Tav has been first class. He knows his responsibility here, he knows it`s a big position, and he knows there are people breathing down his neck for his shirt. That`s what we want to have but I`m delighted for Tav.’
With Wallace scoring the other on the day, lifting himself to five for the season so far, Warburton also had praise for the skipper.
‘He`s chasing Tav; Tav gets his goal and Lee comes after him! But it`s pleasing for the full backs, they are working hard and getting their rewards. It`s a physical demand for them to overlap and underlap as they do and they get back and keep their shape. So I’m delighted for Lee and delighted for Tav.’
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