Joel McGregor has been Swindon Town’s “best player” since coming into the starting line-up, according to George Cox.

In the absence of Jeff King, McGregor has started each of Town’s last four matches across all competitions and has impressed heavily in each of his appearances.

Scoring his first senior goal against Bristol Rovers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy was quickly followed by his first league goal against Cheltenham Town on Saturday as McGregor was named in League Two's Team of the Week.

 

 

After the game, Cox said that his fellow wing-back had set a very high standard with his displays so far after breaking into the starting line-up.

He said: “I think he has probably been our best player since he has come in, and today again he was superb.

“I just said to him after the game that it is the first time someone gets a goal and an assist and you [McGregor] are still nicking man of the match.

“He was superb. He got us out of tough situations, grabbed a goal, he was a threat up the pitch, and defensively he was also really strong, so credit to him.”

Michael Flynn made a point of praising McGregor’s display in his post-match press conference, saying that he believed he had a “bright future” in the game with the desire and quality he showed during the match.

Mark Kennedy was also full of praise for the youngster for his display and also what he hoped he would go on to accomplish in his career.

He said: “I am so pleased for him personally because I want him to have the experiences that people like Gavin Gunning have had, Steve [Mildenhall] has had, Marcus [Bignot] has had.

“They must have played 1,500 to 2,000 games between them and I want our players to experience those amazing moments that they have had in their careers.

“To be out there, so young, scoring goals in front of your mum and dad and your own fans, it must be a dream come true.

“But I must stress that he thoroughly deserves it, I refuse to give people opportunities that don’t deserve it – I have no interest in people pushing me to play someone, multiple times in my last job I had six subs on the bench as I am not putting people in that shouldn’t be in.

“He thoroughly deserves everything he is getting and I am so pleased for him and his family.”