O'Leary: now Harte's my number one No. 3! - January 26, 2001
Leeds boss Dave O'Leary has given himself a pat on the back following Ian Harte's triumphant midweek return to first-team action - and he predicts that the Irish international full back will stay in the first team for the rest of the season.
O'Leary dropped his fellow countryman last month, citing a loss of form. But with Dominic Matteo playing behind Jason Wilcox on the left, Leeds looked even worse!
And Harte got his message across with whistles and bells on Wednesday night when he starred in the win against Aston Villa and hammered home the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Completely unabashed, Dimpled Dave is claiming all the credit!
"He needed a break from first-team football because his form had dipped and he needed to regain his usual confidence. That's why we rested him," said O'Leary, using the royal 'we'.
"But he seemed like the old Ian against Villa, so there's no reason why he won't continue to play that way. He was great and he struck his spot kick with real authority.
"He's back in the defence and that's where he will stay as far as I can see."