Ian Craney said the standing ovation he received from the Liberty Stadium faithful settled his nerves as he was thrown into a Swans debut in an entertaining nil-nil game with Bristol City on Sunday.
Craney came on for Kevin Amankwaah during the second half to a loud welcome reception and slotted into midfield alongside his skipper Darren Pratley. Craney, who signed on loan with a view to a permanent move last week immediately looked at home for a player who only came into league football at the start of this season
“I’m confident in my own ability that I can make the step up,” Craney told the Western Mail
“I think I can play to a high standard. I know I’ve got the ability to do that and now I’ve got to prove it.
“The next step is to try and get in the team, and when you get a chance you’ve got to take it. There’s some good players here and you’ve got to show you deserve to be on that pitch with them. I can’t wait to try and do that.”
Leon Britton was also refusing to be downhearted over a weak header that could have won the game with the very last touch of the ball
“The Scousers have been giving me a bit of stick for that one,” said Leon
“But it was nice praise from the manager and it’s great that he shows faith in me. Hopefully I can repay him on the pitch.
“It’s a big turnaround for me as a few years ago I was struggling to make the team.
“But I’ve worked hard on the training ground. I’ve kept my head down and always believed that it would come good”
This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.