Sam Ricketts: Shrewsbury Town celebrations are genuine and deserved
Boss Sam Ricketts says the joy and celebrations his Shrewsbury players earned with survival is genuine and deserved as Town got over the line to safety.
Salop mathematically sealed their League One status for next season on the penultimate day of the season as super sub Fejiri Okenabirhie netted two minutes after coming on 15 minutes before the end at Coventry City.
Town, who were already all-but safe owing to a much better goal difference, were 1-0 down before top scorer Okenabirhie's leveller and staring down a third straight league reverse.
But the 1-1 draw sparked joyful scenes as Ricketts, his staff and players celebrated with more than 1,000 travelling Salopians at the Ricoh Arena.
"You could see the lads at the end of the game - it matters to them," said Ricketts.
"The joy and celebration from the players is genuine, they care.
"It's happy in the dressing room, they've got a day off tomorrow to recover and we're back in Tuesday.
"They're delighted, they've worked extremely hard for the feeling they've earned there.
"So we'll enjoy the moment."
The Town chief says he had seen improvements in his squad the longer the League One season has gone on.
But he insisted the team have made 'baby steps' in relation to where he wants to take Shrewsbury.
"It's been challenging but I've loved it, I've been in football since 16 years of age," the boss continued.
"Mentally it's not much difference, I was a leader and organiser as a player and that's what I try to install into my team.
"I can see glimmers of it which have come the longer the season has gone on, you can see little traits I'm really, really pleased with but these are baby steps to where I want to get.
"There is much to work and improve on. There are some really good signs but plenty to do."
The occasion was enhanced by a farewell to Sky Blues and Town legend and former goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic.
It was the goalkeeper coach's final home match working with City.
Meanwhile, Ricketts confirmed that injured duo Shaun Whalley and Ryan Sears will miss the final day of the season against rivals Walsall on Saturday.
Winger Whalley tweaked his hamstring while young defender Sears pulled up with a knee injury in training. Ollie Norburn also missed out with an injured Achilles.
