Jack McMillan deserved the adulation he got for scoring Exeter City's winning goal against AFC Wimbledon, says manager Gary Caldwell.
Jack McMillan deserved the adulation he received for scoring Exeter City's winning goal against AFC Wimbledon, says manager Gary Caldwell.
The versatile 27-year-old defender scored the winner with 10 minutes to go to ensure the Grecians stayed out of the League One relegation places with a 1-0 victory.
It was the Scot's first goal since late April and just his third since joining the club from Partick Thistle in the summer of 2024.
"I'm delighted for Jack," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.
"You ask his team-mates who they respect, who you like to play alongside.
"I change his position every single game and it's an amazing thing for a manager to have that versatility in someone who takes information, carries out what I ask him to do week in, week out.
"He doesn't get the credit he deserves and it's great to see him scoring, great to see him finally celebrating in front of the Big Bank.
"We dragged him there, he's not that type of person, he's a very down to earth, no-nonsense type of guy and it was great to see him get the adulation from the Big Bank."
The game was Exeter's first since they were drawn away at Premier League giants Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup.
January's tie at the Etihad could go a long way to easing the financial concerns that have blighted the fan-owned club this season.
But Caldwell says it was important that his side were focused on the game with AFC Wimbledon, rather than having their minds on a match that is weeks away.
"It's a difficult thing to do when you have such a high of an FA Cup tie, and obviously get the high of the draw," he said.
"We had to get back to work tonight and make sure we won and we've done that."
He added: "It's going to be a brilliant game [against City], but it's not coming for a number of weeks.
"We have to win league games before that. I said that to the players if you want to be a top team or recognised as a top team, then your league form is what matters.
"FA Cup runs are a bit of icing on the cake and we have to make sure we win a lot of football matches before we go there.
"We have to build confidence before we go there because it's going to be a huge task, but there'll be no mention of that until the week before."
Category: General Sports
