Peterborough United v Doncaster is '˜just another game' to McCann

Former Posh manager Grant McCann returns to the ABAX Stadium on Saturday in charge of another team but insists '˜it's just another game'.
In the past . . . Darragh MacAnthony with Grant McCann during his time as Posh boss.In the past . . . Darragh MacAnthony with Grant McCann during his time as Posh boss.
In the past . . . Darragh MacAnthony with Grant McCann during his time as Posh boss.

McCann was sacked by Posh in February after a run of seven games without a win.

His team were still 10th in League One - six points off the top six - but the quality of football had deteriorated and Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony decided his time was up.

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He’d won 42 of his 105 matches - not a bad record really for a first managerial post - and some Posh fans thought he was unfairly treated. He was also a fantastic player for the club.

But McCann, now trying to make a name for himself as manager of Saturday’s opponents Doncaster Rovers, was reluctant to talk too much about matters Posh when interviewed after a 2-1 defeat by Blackpool in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

“I am looking forward to the game,” he said. “I had a good time there, seven or eight years at Peterborough as a player, a coach, an assistant and a manager.

“But I’m here now and I just want to focus on Doncaster and give everything I have in my capacity to make sure we have a successful season.

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“It’s just another game really. We want to go there and make sure we do ourselves proud.

“It’s a big game against a team that is unbeaten in the league. We know we have to focus on the league, that is the most important thing. You want big games and they’re all big in League One.

“Our focus is getting up there, in and around the top of the league as quickly as we can.”

The 37-year-old former Northern Ireland international made 185 appearances for Posh and is a former club captain.

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“I’ve been in the London Road End cheering him on,” said Posh boss Steve Evans.

“He was a fantastic player and a model professional. I’ve no doubt he will get a warm reception on Saturday and he certainly deserves that.”

MacAnthony said at the time of McCann’s dismissal: “I love Grant, he is a legend of this football club and always will be. But it has not quite happened in management for him here.”

Director of football Barry Fry added: “Grant has worked morning, afternoon and night on behalf of the football club. His work ethic has been second to none.”