Preston goalkeeper Declan Rudd has told Lancs Live that he felt criticism aimed at him on Saturday was ‘pretty disrespectful’.
North End took on Hull City on Saturday afternoon, and were 1-0 down at the break as Mallik Wilks headed home from close range. In the end, goals from Paul Gallagher and Alan Browne turned the game on its head, sealing a 2-1 win for Preston.
Still, there was a huge sense of frustration at half time, when North End were 1-0 down and struggling to break down the Tigers. The goal Hull scored was a cheap one; a cross into the six yard box, and Wilks unmarked to nod home.
Some fans both at Deepdale and on Twitter felt that goalkeeper Rudd should have dealt with the cross by coming off his line, rather than staying at home.
It wasn’t the easiest ball to claim; it was whipped in quite flat, giving Rudd little time to adjust and come out, and maybe the focus should instead be on the poor marking inside the box.
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One fan clearly wasn’t happy, giving Rudd a volley of abuse before half time, with the Preston goalkeeper spotted giving some verbals back to the disgruntled supporter.
Ahead of tonight’s game with West Brom, Rudd has admitted that the comments made towards him were ‘pretty disrespectful’, and only about Rudd himself rather than the team.
Rudd did though praise other fans for offering their support since the incident and admitted that maybe he shouldn’t have responded, instead feeling he should have ignored the fan.
“It was only one person that said something,” said Rudd. “It was pretty disrespectful towards myself, it wasn’t towards the team. Obviously being in game mode, I was very hyped up and I probably should’ve just ignored it but when someone puts a personal attack on you like that it gets to you.”
“It’s been great to see the support that I’ve had from all the fans since then. I’ve had some great messages on social media which been amazing, it’s nice to know that one person’s opinion isn’t backed up by everyone. Being in the moment, you’re hyped up in the game and when you get told you’re a disgrace it’s not nice,” he added.