Reading manager Brian McDermott has released a statement via the club website following an on-the-field incident involving two of his players in Tuesday’s defeat at Middlesbrough. Defender Paul McShane and midfielder Danny Williams were involved in an ‘exchange’ in the second half.
Following the match, McDermott elected not to comment as he was unaware of the incident. After receiving footage of the game, the former Leeds boss has reminded both players ‘of their responsibilities to both the club and its supporters.’
Reading went down to an agonising late defeat as Adam Forshaw’s last gasp strike earned Boro a crucial 2-1 home win at the Riverside Stadium to keep their quest for the Premier League firmly alive.
McDermott said that incident was very much ‘in the heat of the moment’ but that both players concerned need to demonstrate their emotions in a different way. The statement read,
“I’ve now had an opportunity to see back the footage of last night’s incident and I have talked with both Danny and Paul today.
“It happened in the heat of the moment, during an extremely tight game against a very good Middlesbrough side, but I have reminded both players of their responsibilities to both the club and its supporters.”
Speaking to the BBC after the match, McDermott said that he didn’t witness any exchange between his players on the pitch, but only that ‘these guys want to win’.
He will be hoping his Royals team responds in the perfect manner by sealing a victory this weekend when they travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United. McDermott used to manage the club before being sacked by Massimo Cellino in May 2014.
