Paul Warne lauds two-goal Rotherham striker Jamie Proctor after win over Wigan

Posted Wednesday, August 15, 2018 by PA

Rotherham manager Paul Warne hailed returning striker Jamie Proctor as he helped fire the Millers through to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 win against Wigan.

The striker was making his first appearance for Rotherham’s first-team since missing out on almost 12 months of action with a cruciate ligament injury.

Proctor put Rotherham ahead with a neat finish after 37 minutes.

Semi Ajayi’s powerful header then doubled the Millers’ advantage before Proctor’s deft header from Billy Jones’ cross made it three.

James Vaughan got one back for Wigan but Rotherham had already done enough to ensure their name stayed in the hat.

Warne said: “He will be really pleased with himself. When he came off the pitch, all the lads on the bench were standing up clapping him and they were buzzing for him.

“We all think the world of Proctor. He was a little bit nervous before the game. Take away his goals and he was very reliable.

“He has worked really hard. I thought he might have fatigued a bit quicker but he played like a 12-year-old and had that adrenaline in him. Getting that goal early on will have done him no end of good.

“I am pretty pleased. We asked a lot of the lads to play in different positions. A few played out of position.

“The cup gives an opportunity to those on the periphery and I thought a lot of them came out with a lot of credit against a really good Wigan side.

“We had to defend quite a lot. They had the ball more than us which will be a common theme this season.”

Wigan manager Paul Cook said he did not regret making eight changes.

He said: “I thought we did all right, I genuinely did. Sometimes in these cup competitions you throw patched up teams together and expect to get excellent performances. It doesn’t work like that.

“We had so many players playing together for the first time that I felt, apart from the goals which is a massive part of the game, we looked a good side. We dominated the game and the ball.

“Rotherham won 3-1. I am not making excuses but if you look at the game in general we are really pleased to get the minutes into the lads.

“We are trying to build a team and a club where everyone can expect to play with a style of play. We have got a very strong squad this year and it was good to see lads out on the pitch and we left a strong group back at home.

“Hopefully we can get the success that we want out of the season.”