Rodney McAree hails performance of Dungannon Swifts star in Boxing Day delight
Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree hailed the performance of midfield maestro Gael Bigirimana after the former Newcastle United star set the platform for his side’s narrow 1-0 victory over Bangor.
It was an Adam Glenny goal after only two minutes which ultimately separated the two teams at Stangmore Park and continued what has been an impressive run for McAree’s men.
The Swifts have now put together a four-game unbeaten league run while their only defeat across the last six came against leaders Larne after Paul O’Neill’s stoppage time penalty.
In the last 15 Premiership matches played by each team, Larne (38) are the sole side to have picked up more points than Dungannon (31), who rebounded in fine fashion from losing their opening five of the campaign.
The form of club captain Bigirimana has once again been crucial for Dungannon and McAree feels he played an important role on Boxing Day.
“I thought Bigi was excellent,” McAree told the club’s media channel. “I thought he was the best player for us in terms of showing composure, putting his foot on the ball, keeping it and getting us playing, but also defensively he was very switched on.
"I thought Tiernan Kelly did well out of possession in terms of winning headers, breaking up play, and I thought our back-four and Decky (Dunne) deserve credit for dealing with a lot of high balls, balls into the box and crosses.
"We stood up to it and everybody across the board deserves credit for seeing it out.”
Dungannon sit in fifth and have now opened up a gap of five points on sixth-placed Cliftonville, who’ve played two fewer matches, and are six clear of Portadown in the race for a top-half finish.
"It’s a fantastic three points,” added McAree. “It probably wasn’t our best performance, but I thought we showed great character, determination, togetherness and all the things you need when you’re just not at your best collectively.
"I think it’s important everybody realises that, rolls their sleeves up and grinds a result out. I think we did grind the result out, but I don’t recall Decky making too many saves.
"I think he has one late on from Ben Arthurs which is a simple one for him, but apart from that I don’t recall many.
"In the end it was comfortable, a little bit jittery and nervy, but a fantastic three points.”