HAVING THE LIFE OF RILEY WITH BLUES

RILEY McGREE revealed he has been given a licence to thrill by Birmingham.

The Aussie forward – who turns 22 today – needed just 68 seconds to get his Blues’ account up and running with a left-foot firecracker, on his first league start.

And although Preston levelled through a stunning 30-yard volley from striker Jayden Stockley, substitute Gary Gardner won it for the visitors with a late, headed goal six minutes from time.

“I’ve been made to feel very welcome,” said McGree (above), who has joined on loan from the Blues’ American MLS franchise partner club, Charlotte FC.

“My team-mates have given me all the confidence to go out on the field and express myself. I feel as though I’ve settled in well, but it’s up to me to keep up the hard work and effort in training.

“Everyone is pushing hard to start and giving the gaffer a hard time to be in the starting XI.

“It was definitely a big step up for me. It’s going to take me time to get used to the pace of the game. But, hopefully, I can keep getting better and better.”

Victory for the Blues was their second in four days, having beaten Huddersfield in midweek. And McGree, one of five changes by boss Aitor Karanka, added: “Hats off to all the boys for the effort they put in. We fought until the end and took our chance.”

Defeat for Preston was an unwanted record sixth straight home loss. And skipper Alan Browne said: “It’s a miserable dressing room at the moment, we just can’t win a game at home.

“But we had great chances and they’ve just gone begging. It’s the story of our season so far.”

PRESTON: Rudd 7, Hughes 7, Storey 6, Bauer 7, Fisher 6 (Rafferty 65, 5), Harrop 7, Johnson 7, Browne 7, Gallagher 6 (Ledson 61, 5), Barkhuizen 7, Stockley 8 (Riis 75, 5) BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 7, Pedersen 7, Dean 7, Jose 7, Roberts 7, Dacres-Cogley 6 (Colin 86), McGree 7 (Gardner 84), Sunjic 7, Sanchez 6, Jutkiewicz 6, Leko 6 (Bela 58, 5)