Russell Martin explains Jay Stansfield incident during Birmingham City vs Southampton
Latest Birmingham City news from BirminghamLive includes Southampton manager Russell Martin on Jay Stansfield and the stick he received from fans at St Andrew’s
Russell Martin has no issue with Jay Stansfield taunting the away dugout against Southampton and admits Birmingham City fans ‘will go away thinking I’m a complete a*******’.
Stansfield scored Blues’ second goal in their 4-3 defeat to the Saints at St Andrew’s. The on-loan Fulham striker punished a mistake by Jan Bednarek by rifling a shot into the roof of the net shortly before half-time.
Part of the striker’s celebrations took place in front of the away dugout. Martin explained afterwards that Stansfield and his assistant Matt Gill – a former Exeter City player – are friends. The Southampton manager gave some out, too, to those seated in the lower Main Stand near the dugout.
“It’s no problem. He’s friends with Gilly,” said Martin. “Gilly played with his dad (Adam Stansfield) and they had a brilliant relationship, so he’s a family friend. I really like him as a player and I also like that he’s got character like that.
“We got plenty of stick from the fans in the dugout so we had a good time when we scored the winner as well. That’s football. It happens and I have no problem with it.
“We had a laugh with him at the end and I’m pretty sure the Birmingham fans near the away dugout will go away thinking I’m a complete a*******. That’s fine as well.”
