Harry Gray on the ball for Rotherham United at Leyton Orient. Picture: Jim Brailsfordplaceholder image
Harry Gray on the ball for Rotherham United at Leyton Orient. Picture: Jim Brailsford
HARRY Gray was as sharp with his tongue as he had been with his feet.
There was a little suggestion that his low first-half curler that set Rotherham United on their way to Saturday's victory over Leyton Orient might have taken a slight final touch off teammate Sam Nombe.
“Definitely my goal,” he asserted.
The attacker was wearing Millers colours for the 19th time in the 2-0 triumph at the BetWright Stadium that was watched by nearly 400 travelling supporters.
Relegation may have been confirmed in the previous fixture, but Rotherham belied their drop-zone position by being much better than the O's and fully deserving their fourth away triumph of the League One campaign.
“It was overdue,” said the 17-year-old who arrived in S60 in January looking for experience in the men's game and seeking to justify his tag as one of the hottest prospects in the country.
“It was nice to finally win a game again. We played well, we showed what we can do. I think that we've not shown how good we can be.
“There have been moments where we've shown, but in a 90-minute performance we've not been our best at times. We've let ourselves down. Today showed that we can do it, but it's too little, too late, I guess.
“It's not easy for fans to keep coming to games when your side are getting beat every week. I think we repaid them a bit today with our display.”
Gray was the man of the match - and not for the first time since he left a Premier League environment to develop himself in the third tier.
“Individually, I think I've done well,” he said. “I think I've shown what I can do and that's what I came here to do - to prove that I can do it against senior players and stuff. I've enjoyed it so much, playing all the time. That's what I needed
“I don't really think too much of it, I don't really get too high or too low, I take it as it comes. Every day, just do your best, work hard - that's all you can do, really.”
His bouncing effort from the left flank into the far corner - his third ‘notch’ in Rotherham colours - helped to end a run of six defeats and a trio draws and put a smile on the face of new boss Lee Clark who was at the game despite suffering a death in the family the night before.
“I just got the ball out of my feet, got my man one v one, put the ball into a dangerous error and hoped for the best," Gray said. “It went in.
“We were doing it for the gaffer. It's been a tough for him today and yesterday.”
Clark has been at the helm since March 18 and Gray has liked what he has seen of the new man.
“The standards and stuff have gone up,” the teenager said. “He's demanding more from players. It's good, it's what you need. Today showed what he can get out of us. Let's have a strong end to the season.
“He's given me the opportunity to express myself, but also given me instructions when I don't have the ball. It's what you need, really - instructions, but also the freedom to do what you want when you're in possession.
“There are moments where I switch off without the ball and I get told what I need to do. That's a side to my game that I need to improve.”
The youngster's time at AESSEAL New York Stadium is drawing to a close. There are just three more matches, starting at home to Luton Town tomorrow night, before it's all over. It's been good for him, it's been good for the Millers.
He's proved that, even at his tender age, he can handle men's football and will head back across the M1 to Elland Road with his reputation enhanced.
And, just to reiterate, the strike against the O's was his.
“Let's not be silly,” he said. “My goal.”
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