JORDAN RHODES enjoyed Town's victory parade and civic reception before travelling to Heathrow and flying out to link up with the Scotland Under 21 squad in Bulgaria.
It had been thought the 40-goal striker would miss the club’s celebration but he was there with the trophy and got one of the loudest cheers when he appeared at the Town Hall.
Now, he will be aiming to add to his six goals in national colours in tomorrow’s vital European Championship qualifier in Lovech.
“It was great how we managed to find a result on Saturday to give the town something to really cheer about and for so many people to turn out and welcome us is fantastic,” said Rhodes.
“This is a fantastic way to finish the season. What’s happened is still sinking in and I’ve just tried to take everything in my stride and treat everything as a normality.”
Rhodes is the top scorer in all four English divisions, but said the credit for his fantastic haul belongs elsewhere.
“It’s all been off the cuff, really, and I would have to thank all the people who have helped me,” he said.
“I’ve been playing in a team at Huddersfield where the supply and the work ethic has been fantastic.
“It’s a dream to play up front as a striker in such a great squad.”
Rhodes admitted he was nervous taking his penalty in the Wembley shoot-out against Sheffield United, even though he scored to help Town clinch an 8-7 victory and promotion.
“I was so nervous and so fearful because it’s not like stepping up and taking a penalty in a game,” he explained.
“Your mentality is different. It’s not about wanting to score, it’s moire about preventing a miss – so it’s almost a negative mindset to start with.
“So just to see the ball from the moment it left my foot, seeing the keeper wrong footed and knowing it was going in the opposite direction was a breathtaking experience, not one I’ve had before.”
