Sheffield Wednesday's Jordan Rhodes quick to put focus on Blackburn

Only those with a cold heart would not have empathised with the outpouring of emotion from Sheffield Wednesday striker Jordan Rhodes on Friday night after his sweet goal against Birmingham City on his Hillsborough debut for the Owls.
.Jordan Rhodes embraces his father Andy, Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeping coach, after scoring against Birmingham City (Picture: Steve Ellis)..Jordan Rhodes embraces his father Andy, Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeping coach, after scoring against Birmingham City (Picture: Steve Ellis).
.Jordan Rhodes embraces his father Andy, Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeping coach, after scoring against Birmingham City (Picture: Steve Ellis).

It was the forward’s first strike since late April and started finally to dispel memories of a fraught previous six months on the periphery at Middlesbrough, with the 27-year-old’s warm touchline embrace with father and Owls goalkeeping coach Andy a joy to behold.

Rhodes was able to savour his first goal for a home side in 496 days, since netting for Blackburn Rovers in their 2-0 win over Ipswich Town in October 2015.

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After reacquainting himself with the goal trail in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Birmingham, he hopes it is a precursor to many more.

Rhodes, who provided an assist in his first Owls appearance at Wigan the previous week and is looking forward to tomorrow’s encounter with former club Blackburn, said: “It was special. A lot of things have happened and a couple of words were said once that embrace happened.

“As a striker, you live for scoring goals and winning games and fortunately, I managed to start and get a goal and it enabled me to enjoy the weekend.

“But it will mean nothing if we don’t back it up against Blackburn.”