Chris Rigg makes ‘dream’ comments ahead of Championship play-off final – Sunderland fans will love it
Sunderland are less than a week away from returning to Wembley Stadium for the first time in three years, as they prepare for the Championship play-off final.
Supporters will still be on cloud nine after Dan Ballard’s sensational last-minute header in the semi-final second leg against Coventry City, with his goal handing the Black Cats the lead on aggregate once again with just seconds to play
The Stadium of Light was sent into chaos by the 25-year-old, and Regis Le Bris now has the opportunity to take Sunderland back to the top flight after eight years away from the division.
Despite the Black Cats’ poor form heading into the play-offs, they were able to overturn Coventry and one of their young stars from this season has sent a message to supporters ahead of Saturday’s final.
Chris Rigg speaks out as Sunderland prepare for Sheffield United test at Wembley
Sunderland will face a very strong Sheffield United at Wembley, the team who finished third in the Championship in the regular season, and they will need the likes of 17-year-old Chris Rigg to be at their very best if they are to win promotion.
Similar to Le Bris’ side, the Blades did not have the strongest of run-ins, but they were dominant against Bristol City in the Championship play-off semi-final, running out 6-0 winners on aggregate – a record in the competition.
Speaking ahead of the final, Rigg said (via: SAFC.com): “Sheffield United are a strong team, who were in the Premier League last season and are one game away from returning.
“It’s going to be a great challenge because we have already had two good games against them this season. Our preparations for the final are already under way and we’re looking forward to the challenge because these are the moments that matter.”
On the fans, the teenager stated: “We felt their support from the moment we left the Academy of Light. To go away and do what we did at Coventry – it felt like there was this surge of momentum, a real wave of togetherness. And we made them proud.
“I was buzzing for the game all day on Tuesday. With it being a later kick-off, the excitement just built up, and when we got into the ground, the warm-up – it was bouncing. I was so ready to play.
“Now it’s Wembley. I’m 17 years old – it doesn’t get much bigger than that. To walk out on a stage like that, in front of 90,000 people… it’s the kind of game you dream of being involved in,” he concluded.
Chris Rigg has the opportunity to earn a place in Sunderland history
Sunderland’s Championship play-off record is poor, but Rigg has the opportunity alongside his teammates to secure the club their first victory in this final.
They have come narrowly close in the past, with their infamous clash against Charlton Athletic in 1998 perhaps the greatest in the competition’s history, although they were beaten by the Addicks on that day on penalties.
Rigg comes from a family of Newcastle United supporters, but it is clear to see where his loyalty lies and a goal at Wembley in front of nearly 40,000 Black Cats supporters would be hard to top.
Sunderland are a club destined to return to the Premier League one day, and they may just have their moment in the sun once again next Saturday at Wembley.
