Radzinski's derby joy

Last updated : 25 February 2002 By Austin Rathe
"We [him and Aleesandro Pistone, who set up the goal] stayed in the same hotel room together on Friday night, so maybe the connection was made then!

"Sandro made a great run on the left hand side and picked me instead of the two players who were running ahead of me storming the 18-yard box.

"Okay it wasn't the most beautiful goal I've ever scored, but it was very, very important.

"It was right in the corner and I don't think many goalkeepers can get to goals like that.

"We never talk about football the night before the game, but we will probably talk about that moment again tomorrow!

"I ran straight to the fans because this is a derby and they are played for the fans.After an absence of six weeks I felt I owed it to the fans to run to them and share the joy with them as well as my team-mates. It felt great to be back, although I was a little bit disappointed in the beginning that I wasn't in the starting XI," he explained.

"But in the back of my head a voice was telling me I hadn't played for six weeks so it was normal to start on the bench, and obviously it turned out to be the right move by the gaffer.

"I had only been on for five or six minutes when I scored, which was a tremendous feeling. It just felt great to be back helping the team.

"It's a bit too early to be talking about confidence suddenly being improved because we have struggled for a few weeks now, but it is a boost going into Tuesday's cup tie.

"The cup replay is now the most important game of the season for us.

"I think the whole team has been waiting for a couple of strikers who know what they are doing up front. Obviously the partnership was working well with Kevin at the beginning of the season and if we can continue like we did today and at least enjoy a run of a few games without injury we can make people a lot happier.

"I am fit but obviously I am lacking match fitness. I felt it today. After 20 minutes the breath had gone and I had to recuperate for 10 minutes just to get used to the pace of the game.

"But that's normal, especially in a derby. You have to go a hundred per cent from the first minute, but if required I can give as much as I can from the start.