Neil Redfearn praises the contribution of Kirk Broadfoot...
Rotherham United manager Neil Redfearn says he is ‘unsurprised’ by the love being shown towards Scotland international Kirk Broadfoot by the Millers’ faithful.
The former Rangers and Blackpool man has earned the plaudits in recent weeks for a string of impressive showings at the heart of the Millers’ defence, with a particularly dominant display earning him a Man of the Match award as stand-in skipper in the win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Broadfoot’s role in inflicting the Seagulls’ first league defeat on the road earned him a place in the Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week and his manager insists the praise from the stands does not come as a shock.
“It doesn’t surprise me. I think the lad has been absolutely outstanding and what supporters see is somebody that plays with his heart on his sleeve,” Redfearn told www.themillers.co.uk.
“He cares about the club and he cares about the performance of the team and he’s a real leader and a great lad to have around.”
The Millers’ boss continued to add that he believes the 31-year-old is currently at the top of his game and took time to praise the Scots’ ability to play out from the back.
“You sometimes look past the fact that he’s a top player and he’s playing right at the height of his powers at this moment in time.
“He’s composed, he uses the ball well, he’s competitive and his reading of the game is second to none.”
The former St. Mirren man had to bide his time for a place in Neil Redfearn’s starting 11 with Danny Collins and Farrend Rawson occupying the berths in central defence earlier in the season, but has since established himself in the manager’s plans alongside a number of partners in the rearguard.
“He’s forging a good partnership with Aïmen Belaïd and long may that continue,” Redfearn beamed.
“He has shown a real professionalism and a real desire to keep going and fighting away and I think deep down he probably knew he was going to get his chance and when he’s got that chance he’s taken it."