Dougie Freedman was full of praise for debutant Steffen Iversen after he notched the winner against Preston.
Interim boss hails recently arrived striker
Caretaker manager Dougie Freedman was full of praise for Steffen Iversen after the debutant notched the winner for Crystal Palace against Preston.
The veteran striker was only given international clearance hours before the clash against the Championship's bottom club, then nodded home in the 58th minute for a 1-0 triumph.
The 34-year-old, a former Tottenham forward, arrived at Selhurst Park from Rosenborg on a free transfer and only had two training sessions with his new colleagues ahead of the North End encounter.
Brilliant
"Steffen was brilliant today," said Freedman.
"I knew he would tire but he was around the last three or four days and as a leader around the group he had to start - and I thought he was fantastic for us."
The win allowed Palace to move one place up the table, to third bottom, and also put Freedman in contention to succeed George Burley following his dismissal as manager at the weekend.
He added: "I don't think I need to put my name forward, people know me around here, I would like to be a manager one day but you cannot choose when.
"When are you ready? When was Jose Mourinho ready? You get your badges, you might never be ready. I've got my A licence and I'll sit my pro licence. Badges are for the FA to get a few quid, you just keep learning."
Freedman was thrilled with the victory, adding: "It was all about the result, the club needed three points and that is what we got.
"I told them I was proud of them, they followed the instructions they were asked to do.
"I was delighted with the performance. We controlled the first half and went forward a bit in the second half."
Furious
Preston caretaker boss David Unsworth was furious after Keith Treacy was shown a yellow card for diving when it appeared he was fouled by Paddy McCarthy.
"It's an absolute stonewall penalty and came at a time when it could have changed the course of the game," he said.
"We could have gone above Palace if we won and it's tough when you get a decision like that.
"We're devastated because it's happening far too often. The referee has listened to the crowd. He's been bullied by the crowd."
Preston coach Jamie Hoyland was sent to the stands for protesting to the referee after the winner.
