Craig Fleming was full of praise for his former colleague Malky Mackay after watching him help Watford to play-off glory at the Millennium Stadium.

By CHRIS WISE

Norwich City club captain Craig Fleming was full of praise for his former colleague Malky Mackay after watching him help Watford to play-off glory at the Millennium Stadium.

Fleming caught the match on television and was delighted to see his good friend play a starring role as the Hornets cruised past Leeds to win a one-sided Championship play-off final 3-0.

“I thought Malky was superb,” he said. “People always go on about him being good in the air, which he is of course, but there is a lot more to his game than that.

“He keeps it simple, reads the game really well and is also a great organiser at the back. In short he is an excellent defender.

“He has done a great job at Watford and fully deserves his success.”

Fleming was also pleased for Hornets' boss Adrian Boothroyd, who spent a spell as City's Academy boss before going on to bigger and better things.

“I've known Adie for many years, long before he came to Norwich,” he said. “He played with my brother Paul at Mansfield and even back then you got the impression he would make a good manager.

“He was always very focussed and driven, a deep thinker about the game with bags of enthusiasm, and when his career was ended early through injury it was no surprise to see him go straight into coaching.

“He did well with the kids here and it was only a matter of time before he got a job as a manager. He's done a great job to get Watford up and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he kept up the good work in the Premiership.”

City manager Nigel Worthington paid his own tribute to the men who had spells working for him before becoming key figures in the Vicarage Road success story.

Worthington was furious when Boothroyd was allowed to leave the club to take up an Academy role at West Bromwich Albion - and now we all know why!

“I am absolutely delighted for Adie,” he said. “He has done an excellent job at Watford - to mark your first season as a manager by guiding your side to promotion is a fantastic achievement.

“He has worked extremely hard to get where he is today and I wish him every success in the Premiership.

“That will be a huge challenge for him but, just like me, I am sure he will be looking forward to it - and will be meeting it head on.”

As for his former defensive lynchpin Mackay, Worthington was also pleased to see him with a big smile on his face at the end of the game.

“Malky has helped three different teams to the Premiership now and that is a tremendous achievement,” he said. “Just like Adie, I wish him all the best for the future.”

City's chief executive Neil Doncaster was also full for praise for the Hornets.

“Everyone at Norwich City congratulates Adie, Malky and everyone at Watford for their tremendous achievement in reaching the Premiership via the play-off final,” he said.