Brennan: "There are different characters from different places - what brings us together is this shirt"

Brennan Johnson was taking it all in on the pitch where he'd just made history in Bilbao. He's now a European final match winner, forever etched in our history - and he told a story of togetherness that helped take us to glory.

Top scorer this season, Brennan did it again when it mattered, grabbing the only goal after 42 minutes of the UEFA Europa League Final against Manchester United at San Memes Stadium, securing a fourth European trophy and a place in next season's Champions League.

Here's his interview with Ben Haines in full...

Ben: "Is that the most beautiful goal you've ever scored?"

Brennan: "Yeah, I'd agree on that. I've no idea what happened, but the ball went in the back of the net, so I couldn't care less!"

What does it mean?

“It means everything, honestly. Ever since I joined the club I just thought this club is way too good not to have won a trophy for so long, and to be part of the team that's won a major competition, it feels unbelievable.”

You guys looked so calm and ready, did you feel we'd do it tonight?

“Yeah, we always had that underlying confidence. It's a final, you never know what's going to happen, and we're playing Man United, and their history speaks for itself. To a man, I believed in our team that we'd get the job done, and I'm so proud of everyone. This is for the fans, for us, we need to enjoy it now.”

How did you feel as the ball hit the back of net?

“I just hoped it went in. I saw it bounce, I thought it went over and then I just took off. I didn't know what I was doing. I've done a knee slide, battered my knee. The feeling... I just wanted to take it in. The scenes after we scored were unbelievable."

You've made history - have you even had the chance to process that?

“No, not one bit. I still can't process this (looking around the stadium). My family is here and it's a privilege to be with everyone. That's who we all do it for, as well as the fans. We sat down halfway through the season, and everyone told their stories and you got a little glimpse of what everyone's been through and it's not easy. We're football players, we're privileged, we have an unbelievable job, but some guys in this team have been through things that I wouldn't wish on anyone so, so proud of every single player and I love them all.”

It's brought that togetherness...

“100%. There are different characters, everyone from different places but what brings us together is this shirt and the manager has made it clear since we started doing that you have your family, you're related to by blood, but when we put on this shirt, that's our bond. Tonight, any player, any member of staff, any fan would have genuinely run through a brick wall to win. I know I would have. I'm so proud of everyone, it means the world.”