Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth believes his weekend star man is too good for League 2.
Garath McCleary was the provider for two of Gillingham’s goals in the 3-3 draw at Shrewsbury Town and a key attacking outlet down the right flank all afternoon.
It was McCleary’s first full match for the Gills since his summer move, and he showed what a difference a quality delivery can make.
He forced home defender Sam Stubbs into heading one of his crosses past his own keeper in the first half and later supplied the ammunition for Elliott Nevitt to score a late equaliser.
Ainsworth compared the veteran winger to a graceful, quick-footed and slender-legged deer.
The Gills boss said: “Garath McCleary at 38 looked like a deer going down the wing.
“There’s nothing of him, no body fat or anything, he’s just unbelievable.
“You see these deers jumping over fences, and you think that’s what Garath played like (on Saturday). He was unbelievable.
“Two assists, which is fantastic for him.”
McCleary has previously played for the likes of Nottingham Forest, Reading and Wycombe, as well as playing internationally for Jamaica.
“Garath is well above this level when he’s fully fit,” said Ainsworth.
“I think he showed just exactly what he’s going to deliver.
“I love my wingers – I was one – and he certainly played the winger role really well. Just everything except a goal and I think he had a shot that he just rattled over.
“There’s more to come from Garath. A super professional, and hopefully we’ll keep him on the form he’s on.”
Team-mate Robbie McKenzie spoke to the press after the game and revealed what helps keep the winger going.
McKenzie said: “He’s always drinking herbal teas, different flavoured teas, so it must be that that’s doing it for him but, no, he’s a great professional.
“He does things properly and you can obviously tell that with the physique and what shape he’s in.”
