HUDDLE WAS REACTION TO FIRST DERBY
DELIGHTED Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy said his players’ ecstatic huddle celebration was a subtle reminder to Swansea City about how they celebrated like they “won the league” when they came out on top in the first derby of the season in December.
The Bluebirds earned the bragging rights at the Liberty Stadium after Aden Flint’s bullet header was enough to seal a 1-0 win for the Welsh capital club.
The Cardiff players, and coaching staff, erupted in celebration after the full-time whistle, before those on the pitch quickly called for the rest of the squad to join them in a huddle on the Swansea turf.
And McCarthy said that was a nod to how Swansea celebrated their own win at Cardiff City Stadium last time out.
“It was funny, that, if they needed any more motivation before the game it was that Swansea did that at our place,” McCarthy said after the match.
“They celebrated like they had won the league.
“Our lads were more than up for it and they just reciprocated.”
Joe Ralls said that the celebration not only sent a reminder to their arch rivals, but was also a show of unity after a top team performance to shut out this dangerous Swansea City side.
“We decided to do it ourselves, not just because of that, but that’s because it shows the togetherness of the group,” he said.
“It was a big win, we know how big a game this is in this part of the world and we showed that togetherness again today, how much it meant to the players to get the win.”
In the wider context of the promotion race, Cardiff have shot to within four points of the play-offs once again, with other results going their wide around them.
And although there is the small matter of the international break ahead, McCarthy believes the derby success could be key to generating a much-needed boost as the tail end of the season approaches.
“It gives us that momentum back,” McCarthy said of the win.
“If we went into the 13-day break having been beaten, we would have bee smarting for the next two weeks.
“But now the boys can enjoy that time off with three points in their pocket.”