HOWLER MAIKS FOR A HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

MAIKEL KIEFTENBELD has invited his father to watch him every week after making an early claim for freak goal of the season.

The Dutch midfielder (above) rarely troubles the scorers at Birmingham – four in 133 league appearances tells the story.

But Kieftenbeld’s opener is destined to go into football folklore after Preston keeper Declan Rudd allowed the softest of misplaced passes to roll into the net with no one anywhere near him.

“I’ve never scored a goal like that,” admitted Kieftenbeld. “I didn’t see my goal. I turned around when the crowd were celebrating and I saw the ball in the net so then I started celebrating.

“It was nice, especially because my dad Joop was over here watching as well, so it was nice to give him something.

“He knows I don’t score that often, but he was happy as well. I will tell him now to come over every game.”

Kieftenbeld scored at the start of the second half and Birmingham added further goals from Jacques Maghoma and Che Adams to end the week on a high with two wins after losing the Second City derby.

Preston’s nine-match unbeaten run came to a crashing halt but Rudd was not being blamed.

Midfielder Paul Gallagher said: “I believe it was a freaky goal but these things happen. He’s a strong lad, he will come back from it. In previous games he’s been brilliant, made great saves. As a team we need to take it on the chin and move forward.”