Keith Andrews praised for 'unbelievable touch' as he speaks to Macclesfield dressing room after Brentford's FA Cup fourth-round win

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Keith Andrews was praised for showing an "unbelievable touch" after Brentford beat Macclesfield FC in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup. Andrews went into the dressing room of the non-League team following the match and spoke to players and coaching staff, impressing Macclesfield boss John Rooney. TNT Sports expert Joe Cole said Andrews was giving Macclesfield "their flowers".

'He will be giving them their flowers' - Andrews goes to Macclesfield dressing room

Video credit: TNT Sports

Keith Andrews has earned plenty of plaudits in his first season as a head coach - and he certainly gained the respect of Macclesfield FC boss John Rooney after his Brentford side battled past the Silkmen in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Non-League Macclesfield were looking to cause another huge FA Cup upset after beating holders Crystal Palace in the previous round.

They gave in-form Brentford a stern test and it was only a 70th-minute own goal from Sam Heathcote that decided the tie.

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Soon after the match, Andrews went into the Macclesfield dressing room and spoke to the players and coaching staff for almost a minute to congratulate them on their efforts.

"Unbelievable touch," said Macclesfield boss Rooney to TNT Sports about the gesture. "I spoke to him before the game and he has just come in and said a few words. He spoke really highly of us and they took it really seriously and prepared like they would for a Premier League side.

"I just touched on it with the lads when he left, that's a Premier League manager saying that to you. That shows what you've done in the last couple of months."

Highlights: Macclesfield suffer FA Cup heartbreak as Brentford progress

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports expert Joe Cole was also impressed by Andrews’ visit to the home dressing room.

"It’s a nice touch because all those boys dream of playing in the Premier League and Keith Andrews is a Premier League manager," said Cole.

"He will be telling them what a difficult game it was for his team and how they showed heart and determination. Football is a very confrontational game but it’s a football family and he will be going in and giving them their flowers."

Brentford’s reward for victory is a trip to West Ham in the fifth round on the weekend of March 7.

A cup run adds to a hugely successful season so far for The Bees, and Andrews was pleased with the way his side handled "the magnitude of the game" against Macclesfield.

"I think a lot of clubs like us, we're normally the underdog when we go into games. Everybody wanted us to lose tonight and that's a different shift for us.

'Unbelievable touch' - Rooney hails Andrews for speaking to Macclesfield players after FA Cup exit

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We have to deal with that tonight and the occasion and the emotions around it. Particularly in the second half, I thought we did that really well."

Andrews added: "It was a really tough test, I knew it would be. The way they play, real spirit around how they approach the game. Confidence, obviously from the last round, in the way they play the game in their league.

"First half I didn't think we did certain things well enough. We did a couple of things at half-time but it was mainly the basics really. I thought we did them a lot better in the second half and eventually wore them down and got the goal we clearly needed."

Brentford captain Nathan Collins also praised Macclesfield for making it "extremely hard" for the visitors.

"It doesn't matter who you are playing against, we need to get the job done. Macclesfield could beat anyone on any day.

'We are normally the underdog' - Andrews admits Brentford had to get used to not being liked

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"Credit to Macclesfield. They made it extremely hard for us. They put up a great fight and they deserve credit for that."

Brentford are next in action on Saturday when they host Brighton in the Premier League.

FA Cup fifth-round draw

Fulham v Southampton
Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Leeds United v Norwich City
Mansfield Town v Arsenal
Wolves v Liverpool
Wrexham v Chelsea
West Ham v Brentford

Ties to be played weekend March 7/8

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