SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner has been delighted with Tyreece Simpson’s rapid development since arriving and has backed the teenage striker to kick after his first goal of the season.

Simpson netted the only goal of the game on Saturday as Swindon survived a controversial moment under their own crossbar to emerge with all three points against Mansfield Town.

The Ipswich Town loanee had threatened to score on a handful of occasions before Saturday, but finally got off the mark courtesy of a fine volley.

Backing his man to grow in confidence and continue to develop at an impressive rate, Swindon head coach is excited by what’s to come from Simpson.

Garner said: “I’m really, really pleased with Tyreece’s progress in this early period.

“It maybe got to him that he didn’t score in the first game or two when he had some chances, but he’s come through that by showing the resilience and robustness of a senior player.

“I think sometimes when you’ve got a player who is so physically strong, you forget he’s only 19 years old. He plays like a senior centre forward, and he works ever so hard every day.

“He wants to learn, he wants to improve, he’s a big character in the squad – he’s a bit of a practical joker – and he’s just getting better and better.”

Swindon’s unsuccessful quest to bring in another striker before deadline day frustrated some – particularly those who claim Simpson’s movement is the area of his game that could do with the most work.

When asked about the teenager’s problem area following Saturday’s victory over Mansfield, Garner defended Simpson but admitted he still has areas in which he could improve.

The Town boss said: “There have been times where his movement has been good, but the cross has eluded him or it’s dropped in the wrong place for him.

“But we’ve worked on his movement and we’re constantly speaking to him about it to try and develop that area of his game.

“A lot of this is new to him, don’t forget, but as long as he keeps listening and hitting those positions he will score goals.

“The best attribute a centre-forward can have is that they don’t get disappointed when they don’t get the goals. The keep going and going no matter what – he’s got that, and that’s going to stand him in great stead for the rest of his career.”