Liam Cullen looking to follow in footsteps of 2011 heroes

One of Liam Cullen’s most prominent memories of following Swansea City involves the Championship play-offs; now the young striker wants to emulate some of his heroes by making his mark in the promotion hunt.

For the second season in a row the Swans secured a top-six Championship finish, and with it the chance to return to the Premier League.

Steve Cooper’s side will be looking to go further than their semi-final defeat to Brentford last term, and will face Barnsley over two legs, with the first leg set for Oakwell on Monday, May 17 (8.15pm).

Cullen, of course, played a key part in reaching the play-offs in 2020 thanks to his first senior goal in the dramatic win at Reading.

He recently returned from a long spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury and, a decade on from nervously following the Swans exploits from afar, Cullen is hoping he can be part of just the third Swansea side to achieve promotion to the top-flight.

“We forget about the last 46 games now as we have hopefully the three biggest games of most of our careers,” said the academy product.

“I remember watching the play-offs in 2011. We were on holiday for the second leg against Forest, so I wasn’t at the Liberty. That was one of the club’s best nights at the Liberty.

“To now be a part of it, and hopefully be a part of the next two games, will be a dream and hopefully we can emulate what that side did in 2011.”