Gillingham striker Brandon Hanlan hitting his stride thanks to boss Steve Lovell's tutelage

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:54, 25 March 2019

Updated: 08:53, 25 March 2019

Brandon Hanlan is happy to be repaying the faith Gills manager Steve Lovell has shown in the striker.

Lovell brought Hanlan to the club in the summer after Charlton let him go.

The Gills boss has given Hanlan every chance to impress and he’s now being rewarded with goals after the 21-year-old made it three in his last seven outings on Saturday.

Brandon Hanlan with fellow goalscorer Tom Eaves at AFC Wimbledon Picture: Ady Kerry

“The gaffer has believed in me since the start of the season,” said the striker, who was playing on loan for National League Bromley last season.

“I try and show him on the pitch why he should believe in me and it has been working out.

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“He is always giving tips, even on match days. He has helped me a lot to improve and I definitely feel I have.

“This is my first full season in League 1 and I have learned a lot this season. I feel like I am improving on my game both physically and mentally, and I am ready to keep pushing forward.”

Hanlan got his sixth goal of the season with the equaliser against AFC Wimbledon. It was the start of an impressive fightback from the Gills, who ended up winning 4-2.

“Everyone was buzzing,” said Hanlan. “It was a game that we needed to win and the boys did what was needed to be done.

“We didn’t start off as it was meant to but we stuck together and managed to win the game. It’s a big three points for us.”

Hanlan’s goal also helped his confidence, having missed several chances the week before at Luton.

“It’s definitely a boost,” he said. “I know last weekend at Luton I should have scored a couple. I just try and keep going, and hopefully come out with the result for the team and the goals for myself.”

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Hanlan’s goal against Wimbledon came at the second attempt. Moments earlier he had been put in by Leo Da Silva Lopes but was denied by the keeper. When Lopes played him in again, he made no mistake.

Hanlan said: “I knew I just had to do what I didn’t do with the first one, which was to hit it low and hard, and that is what I did.

“I try not to think too much when I am in the box but I knew where I wanted to put it and it paid off.

“I am happy I could help the team and get us back into the game.”