IRELAND'S John Egan has given special praise to his Sheffield United teammates after they managed to achieve promotion back to the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The Blades return to England's top-flight after a two-year absence. A 2-0 win over West Brom sealed a second-place finish and automatic promotion with three games to spare.
Goals from Sander Berge and Anel Ahmedhodzic in the second half ensured that Egan and United would get a taste of the big time once again.
The Cork native, Egan, reflected on the win afterward and highlighted how close the squad was during the Championship season. “We’ll have good craic now celebrating this,” admitted Egan, speaking to Sky Sports after the game.
“It always feels good. We’re a brotherhood there and in 20 years' time, we’re all going to be looking back, thinking about what we did. It’s no mean feat. It's a tough division to get out of.
"We have memories for life together now. It’s crazy; there aren't many places in football where you get such a tight-knit squad.
"Since I have been here, it’s been like that. Whoever has come in has bought into it. We really are mates off the pitch. That helps, and I think it shows on the pitch. We trust ourselves in one-off games here against anyone in the league. The first half was a bit edgy, but in the second half, I think our experience and quality showed.
"Memories for life with this bunch of lads. We have got a really good squad and are just so buzzing to get it done.”
Legends at the Lane. 💪 pic.twitter.com/JlC5q6sXX4
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) April 27, 2023
The last time United were in the top flight, they spent two seasons there. The first and second seasons couldn't have been more different for the club. A top 10 finish in the first season was followed by relegation in the second. Paul Heckingbottom tempered expectations about next season but did admit that his players would 'give it a real go' when the new season gets underway in August.
"The Premier League is another challenge, but it's a different one," he said after the win.
"The expectation [this season] is that we should be up here, and we have dealt with that and done it. Next season we won't have that. Our challenge will be totally different. I don't have a clue what I will have [budget]. But what I do know is no one will be better prepared than us and as organized.
"We will give it a good go. I can't say what the challenge will be yet because I don't know what we're going to have, but what we have got is a really good group of players in there.
"We are losing the loan players, and if that's all we replace, then we replace as best as we can and we go for it."
Next up for Heckingbottom's side is a tie against Preston North End on Saturday.
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