'He's not Maldini, but...' - Grant McCann lauds Doncaster Rovers man + Luton budget comparison
Grant McCann has heaped warm words on Matty Pearson after the Doncaster Rovers centre-half posted a composed performance against his former club Luton Town.
Pearson was one of the best performers as Rovers drew 1-1 with his old employers - a result that moves McCann's men onto 40 points with 11 matches left.
Centre-half Pearson, 32, put in a solid display at the back and went close with a couple of chances too, before playing his part in the eventual equaliser for Rovers. He started the move that led to Brandon Hanlan cancelling out Kasey Palmer's opener. After a tough day at the office three days prior in the loss to Plymouth, McCann was pleased Pearson was back to his best against a team he represented between 2018 and 2021.
"Matty's been probably a tad unfortunate, not to be in and around the team," McCann told the Free Press.
"But he's a good professional. He always has been, when he was at Huddersfield and Barnsley and other places. He is what you see - he puts his body on the line, he wins headers, he's aggressive. He's not Paolo Maldini, don't get me wrong! But he can still handle the football, so we're pleased to have him."
This result, combined with scores elsewhere, means Rovers are just two points clear of the dropzone. But McCann insists he and his squad are only looking up with the end of the season now firmly in view.
"The league's tight, it's literally so tight," he added. "I've said this before, that it's just a couple of wins away from being mid-table. And that's what we're aiming for. We're not looking down, we're trying to move up the league. We'll just keep going, keep getting in the areas, keep making the opportunities, making the chances. And I think over the last couple of games, we've created enough chances to win those two games."
McCann was also at pains to point out the financial disparity between his side and the Hatters, who were playing in the top flight as recently as 2024.
"We shouldn't be in the same league as Luton, budget-wise," added the Northern Irishman. "We shouldn't be anywhere near that level. This is a Premier League team, two years ago. (They've got) Probably the biggest budget in the division - that's the truth. We've played really well against them and we've got a group of people in there who wants to fight and wants to work. We may not be blessed with some of the quality that Luton have. But we've got an honest group of boys who'll keep going."
Rovers are back at home on Saturday against Blackpool.