MONTREAL – Jack McInerney did explain his celebration, after all.
On Saturday, McInerney said that the finger he put to his lips after scoring the winner in the Montreal Impact's 2-1 victory over FC Dallas had been a “spur-of-the-moment” thing. But his grin said otherwise. Asked again about the gesture on Tuesday, McInerney explained it as a response to media criticism of his daily approach to his work.
“There were a bunch of rumors going around,” McInerney told reporters. “I think it’s B.S. about me not training hard. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I know [Impact head coach Frank Klopas] hasn’t said that. You guys are here for one training session a week. I don’t know how you could base my training sessions off of one training a week, [saying that I'm] not working hard.
“I don’t like seeing that stuff, because I come here, working my [rear end] off, every single day, and fight for the team,” McInerney continued. “It's just B.S. that there are rumors floating around.”
While the celebration was indeed aimed at members of the media, McInerney said it was not directed at one specific person.
His efforts in training, McInerney feels, are paying off. The 22-year-old got more praise for his overall play against Dallas from Klopas on Tuesday, and he feels in great form while notching three goals in his last seven games in all competitions.
The 5-foot-10, 150 pound McInerney is most pleased that he has improved in holding up the ball, a part of the game that is particularly demanding for him, given the size advantage enjoyed by most MLS defenders.
“Right now, it’s the best I’ve played in my career,” McInerney said.
McInerney admitted on Tuesday to having been affected by moving in and out of the lineup as Montreal juggled CONCACAF Champions League player early in the season. Now with fellow attacker Dominic Oduro sidelined for a few weeks due to injury, McInerney is hoping for a consistent run in the first team.
“If you’re not playing, you think you’re not doing things well, and you start overthinking things,” McInerney said. “As a forward, when you go out on the field, the second you start overthinking things, you’re going to shank the ball or hit it over the net or have a bad layoff. If you go out there, play relaxed and don’t think twice about it, you’re going to play pretty well.”
