McCleary Goal -The First Of Many

Before last night, Garath McCleary had been limited to two brief substitute appearances for the Reds. But due to an injury sustained by Nathan Tyson, he was given a full 45 minutes and he made the most of it.

He arrived at the City Ground towards the end of the January transfer window from non league Bromley, after being spotted by Forest scouts. He made 40 appearances for Bromley scoring 10 goals.

Ironically, he made his debut for the Reds in the 1-0 defeat at home to Carlisle last month. So his debut goal last night would have been made all the sweeter.

He told the Nottingham Evening Post. 'I am over the moon because we won and I got my first goal. The feeling is unbelievable.

In jubilant mood and far from speechless, he said. 'I am speechless at the minute. As soon as it came out to me my first thought was to hit it and thankfully it went through a few players and went in.'

He continued. 'I really am proud and I cannot wait to get to the phone to tell my family.'

He even went on to say. 'I was not expecting to come on when I did but I was doing the warm up and then got told I was. I could not wait to get involved.'

Fair play to him, he must be chuffed to bits with his start in professional football. Hopefully, this will be the first of many goals for this shy and retiring young man. He did have one more thing to say about his goal before he finished his interview and said. 'I cannot describe how I am feeling at the minute - I am speechless.' OK now, give it a rest Garath.