Reading FC defender Tom McIntyre expressed his delight after an unforgettable few days that saw him score two stoppage time goals in the Royals’ relegation fight.
Local lad McIntyre, who came up through Reading’s academy, gave his team a huge helping hand in what was a very successful Easter bank holiday for Paul Ince’s men.
McIntyre was found in the right place at the right time to send the Reading away fans wild at Sheffield United as he poked in a stoppage time winner to dent the Blades’ play-off hopes and put the Royals further clear of the relegation zone.
Having been on the high of Friday’s superb results, Reading were involved in one of the most bizarre games in recent memory at the club.
With three goals in the opening 12 minutes setting the tone for the match against Swansea City on Monday, Reading were 4-1 down just before the hour mark.
But they somehow managed to pull off a ludicrous comeback which saw McIntyre secure his cult hero status as he again provided a goal deep into added time to make the game 4-4.
“I thought Friday couldn’t be topped but I think that’s just about done it,” said a delighted McIntyre after the final whistle.
“It means the world to me to play for Reading so to get these two goals, I’m lost for words.
“I’ve been a Reading fan all my life so it’s a dream come true for me.
“We want to win all our games regardless of whether it’s mathematically done or not.
“We’re looking to catch the teams ahead of us and it’s always important to end the season strong. It always helps going into the break with a positive end to the season.”
McIntyre spoke of the importance of the club to retain their Championship status and wants the team to finish the job with just three games remaining in the season.
He continued: “It’s so important for the club and the whole town. The club is a big part of the town.
“The club is the heart of the town and there are so many people that lean on the club come the weekend and love the club to bits.
“There are staff that if we did go down, that would lose their jobs and that weighs on our shoulders.
“I’ve got a lot of friends at the club, there are a lot of great people working here and you don’t want to see anyone lose their job so it’s a massive responsibility but it’s been a team effort and we need to put it to bed.”
Speaking on his goal in the 4-4 thriller, McIntyre admitted that he found it hard to recall what happened after a moment of madness that saw the Royals make the most unlikely of comebacks.
“I should have had one just before for the third goal, he made a great block on the line their lad.
“I found it hard to remember what happened with all the madness afterwards.
“I watched it back again. I chested it, or it came off my knee, then I poked it in with my right foot.
“It was the right place and the right time. A bit similar to my goal on Friday.
“If you’re in there, in the six yard box, the percentages are good and luckily enough I’ve managed to get two in two.
“A few months ago we might have crumbled and lost it, but it shows the belief and spirit the manager has instilled in us with the never say die attitude.
“We’ve got ourselves in a situation where we are quite a few points clear. We’ve done really well to drag ourselves out of the situation but we need to put it to bed and make sure it’s mathematically done.”
