DOWNES RIGHT AT THE TOP – GRIMES

MATT Grimes has hailed the quality of Flynn Downes as his midfield colleague’s stellar season continues.

Downes delivered a sublime performance on Saturday as Swansea City humbled Cardiff City 4-0 on their own turf on their way to a historic South Wales derby double.

The former Ipswich man’s performances have attracted attention from the Premier League, with Leeds United among the clubs said to monitoring his progress.

And club captain Grimes, who has featured alongside a host of internationals since arriving at Swansea seven years ago, says Downes can rank alongside the best of them.

“Right at the top,” responded Grimes when asked where Downes ranks in the list of midfielders he’s played with. “I think he’s been first class. “His attitude to training every day and how hard he works and the understanding we have between each other, especially playing in this style and system, he’s a top, top player.

“I think he can go as far as he wants to be honest, if his dedication and work ethic is anything to go by.

“I think he can go right to the top, for sure.”

Meanwhile, Grimes says he and his team-mates will never forget their historic derby win.

Grimes, along with the rest of the Swansea players and backroom staff, were jubilant in their celebrations with a euphoric away end at the fulltime whistle.

“It feels incredible, incredible,” he said. “There aren’t many words that can describe it.

“For the fans, for the people of Swansea, you can see how much it means to them and to do it in the way we did was exceptional. It’s hard to do the double over any team in a season, so to do it over your fiercest rivals is even tougher.

“With the fixture being what it is, it’s an incredible achievement; I’m so proud of the lads, the staff, everyone. It’s such a proud day. It’s a great step in the right direction.”