Barrie hails 'brilliant' defensive effort

Matchwinner Barrie McKay gave Swansea City’s defenders a massive pat on the back after their “brilliant” display during the win at Bolton.

McKay’s goal stole the headlines as he fired home a rocket from just inside the penalty area after 15 minutes.

It proved the winning goal, and McKay’s first since joining the club from Nottingham Forest this summer, but the 23-year-old was keen to highlight his team-mates’ efforts at the back.

He said: “The defenders were brilliant and we defended well as a team from the front.

“Erwin (Mulder) came in and made some great saves while Connor (Roberts) and Matt (Grimes) did a good job down the flanks.

“Mike (van der Hoorn) led by example and Joe (Rodon) put in another fantastic performance.

“My goal won it but it’s important to point out how well we played defensively, particularly in the second half.”

The victory last weekend came after a disappointing 2-1 loss at Rotherham – a game in which the Swans had led via Oli McBurnie’s seventh goal of the campaign.

Two late penalties inflicted defeat on the Swans, who were punished for failing to take their chances at the New York Stadium.

But it proved a different story in Lancashire as Graham Potter’s side held firm to hold off the Trotters, whose closest effort saw Sammy Ameobi’s long-range effort tipped onto the crossbar by Mulder.

And McKay was delighted with the way the squad responded following the setback at Rotherham.

“It shows great character that we can see out a 1-0 win following the disappointment from the previous game,” said the Scottish midfielder.

“It speaks volumes for the boys that they can bounce back immediately with a performance and result like that.

“If you don’t concede then you don’t lose – the boys at the back stood up to the challenge and were brilliant.

“Now we have to build on this result when we return to action after the international break.”