On loan QPR defender pleased to contribute in strong win over Swindon
Michael Harriman said he was absolutely delighted to score his first goal in professional football on Saturday at Priestfield.Michael, on loan from QPR, started the game in right midfield and looked a constant threat throughout the match as his pace and energy caused constant problems to the Swindon defence.
Elliott Hewitt played at right back allowing Harriman to push further forward, and he was rewarded with his efforts with a fantastic left footed goal which put the Gills on their way to a well deserved three points in a 2-0 win.
Speaking after the game he said: “You remember the place where you scored your first goal so it was a good day for me and for the boys.
"After the defeat last week it’s good to bounce back with a result.
“We are working on the defensive part on our game, we are more solid than we used to be and we are hard to break down.
“Teams can play in front of us but not through us and we thoroughly deserved our clean sheet. We restricted Swindon to lots of shots outside the box and we always fancy Nels outside so we did really well.
“I love playing Football but it’s always nice to have the competition. Elliott is a great player and we are always learning off each other and improving all the time with the gaffer.
“Once I did score the adrenaline rush hit me and it gave me the extra legs to carry on.
“You will have to jot the date down; I don’t think you will see me score again for a while!
“When I first signed at QPR I was a striker so I slowly moved back. I scored a few but as the years went on I wasn’t the biggest player so I slowly drifted positions but that’s all a part of learning."
Michael chose to dedicate the goal to a former team-mate of his at QPR, Kiyam Prince, who died in 2006.
He said: “I always said when I scored my first goal I would dedicate it to my old friend Kiyam Prince who sadly passed away a few years ago so that one was for him and I know he’s watching me.”
Gills next fixture is away at Brentford on Friday night in front of the Sky TV Cameras, but after such a good display in front of the home faithful, Michael is convinced the team have enough quality to take something from the promotion chasers.
He added: "We are always upbeat and get on for the next one, they are buzzing and the atmosphere in the dressing room is fantastic.
“We have such a great togetherness and we work together as a unit and that showed on the pitch with a 2-0 win.
“Brentford are in good form and are unbeaten for a while and we are looking forward to it. It’s on the tele so we will go up there and try to stop the run they are on.”
You can watch Michael’s post match interview here.