Kilgallon earns O´Neill praise

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill has praised Matthew Kilgallon for his performances since stepping into the first team.

Kilgallon was far down the pecking order under former boss Steve Bruce, and O’Neill is pleased that the defender has grabbed the chance given to him.

“I hadn’t seen very much of him, other than little bits in training, of course,” O’Neill told reporters.

“He got the opportunity the other week when Wes Brown got injured. He went on to the field and he has acquitted himself very well so far in the games.”

“I think he is just pleased to be involved at this minute where perhaps he didn’t have involvement before.”

The purchases of Brown and John O’Shea were thought to further reduce Kilgallon’s playing time, but O’Neill is keen to give all of his squad a chance before deciding on their futures.

O’Neill added: “I have been at football clubs where players maybe didn’t get the same sort of involvement before, and then suddenly it happens for them either with the manager there or with someone else in.”

“It’s the case with not just Matt himself, but with other players. If they feel as if the team has done well and they hadn’t been a serious part of it, when they get that opportunity, they might as well give it everything they have got. I think that applies here.”