Steve Cooper pleased for forward pair after Routledge extends scoring run
Steve Cooper was delighted to see his strikeforce on target in Swansea City’s FA Cup victory over Stevenage, as Wayne Routledge brought up a club landmark.
Routledge and Viktor Gyokeres were on the scoresheet after being handed starting roles in attack with Jamal Lowe on the bench and Andre Ayew rested.
They made the most of the opportunity, with skipper Routledge heading home a Yan Dhanda cross for the opener in just the seventh minute.
The goal means the 36-year-old has scored in all 10 of his seasons with the Swans since his move from Newcastle in 2011.
It also saw him claim victory at Stevenage 10 years on from being part of the Magpies side beaten 3-1 at the same stage of the competition.
“It deserves recognition,” said head coach Cooper of Routledge extending his run of scoring seasons.
“It is remarkable really at this level, and in the Premier League where he has played most of the time.
“I cannot pay enough respect or give him enough credit. He is a remarkable guy, and he has had a great career.
“He is so well liked and valued at the club. He would probably like a few more minutes than I am giving him, but he is brilliant to have around and he can still play.
“Every day in training he will do something that impresses us, and if we need to start him in games he will be ready to do that, as he showed today.
“He’s a real bridge between myself and the dressing room, I think the professional in him will always want to play, but he knows the contribution he is making.”
Cooper also hopes Gyokeres will benefit from netting his first goal in Swansea colours, as the on-loan Brighton striker glanced home Jordon Garrick’s superb cross early on in the second half.
“I hope that helps Viktor, he works hard to improve in training and we are really pleased for him,” added Cooper.
“We want our strikers scoring and we got that from the two who started.
“It was a brilliant cross from Jordon Garrick and it was a proper number nine’s goal.”
