Manager Mark Bonner finished his post-match interview on Saturday with a special mention for “his favourite player in the world.”
Robbie McKenzie got Gillingham’s winning goal at MK Dons – a shot that squirmed through the hands of keeper Tom McGill – and he’s been given top-billing by the manager.
Midfielder McKenzie had over a month out injured before returning in the middle of November. He got a goal at Bromley in a 2-1 defeat and a much more important one at MK Dons. He’s previously netted the winner against Chesterfield and also scored in a win over Barrow prior to being sidelined with injury.
“They won’t be happy with the goal they conceded,” said the Gills boss on the 59th-minute strike against the Dons.
“Let’s be honest, he’s got to say thanks to someone for that, but it was an important moment to score.
“I actually thought our confidence after that was really good. We had a lovely spell with the ball where we started to build a little bit more and get some control of the game.
“But yeah, how good a season has he had? He’s like my favourite player in the world at the moment!”
McKenzie is one of several players back involved after injury.
Ethan Coleman has started the last three after several weeks out injured himself. He and McKenzie played a crucial role on Saturday as the defensive midfield pair in front of a back four.
Winger Aaron Rowe started the game – his first appearance since the end of August – while Josh Andrews got more minutes and Bradley Dack made another late substitute appearance as he gradually works his way towards becoming a bigger influence in the team.
Elliott Nevitt’s been starting games after time off injured and with Armani Little and Tim Dieng getting closer to fitness, it’s a much better picture for the Gills boss.
He said: “Robbie, Ethan, Nev, it’s so good to have them back. Aaron Rowe, so good to see him. Seeing Dacky on the pitch, so important. Josh Andrews, so important. He’s putting games together.
“We’re starting to develop a much stronger squad and that will serve us well with the number of games we’ve got coming.
“The fitter they get, the sharper they get, the better they get. That will serve us well.
“I have to say Robbie and Ethan, the last three games have been exceptional in the middle of the pitch in terms of their defensive understanding, the regains that they’ve made, the intensity that they’ve played with. Absolutely brilliant.
“I thought Aza (Rowe) had some nice moments in the game (on Saturday). Really exciting, really threatening and he’s been out ages.
“We’ve waited so long to get him back. We just hope he settles fine from that (game) and there’s no issues and we keep building him up. He can be a big player for us in the next month or so.”
