'You’ve got to put a show on' - Ivan Toney says he '100 per cent knew' he'd score on Brentford return after betting ban

Ivan Toney says he “100 per cent knew” he would score on his return to action after helping fire Brentford to a Premier League win over Nottingham Forest.

Toney captained Brentford as he played for the first time in eight months, having been banned for breaching Football Association betting rules.

He opened the scoring from a free-kick to put Brentford ahead, and they went on to claim their first victory since December 2.

The result moves Brentford up into 14th place, six points clear of the relegation zone.

“It was a long time coming,” Toney told Sky Sports.

“I manifested this win when I was at home during the time I was out, I am here now and buzzing to be back scoring goals and winning with the team.

"I 100 per cent knew this would happen again. I manifest things like this. Before the game, before I left my house, I thought, 'we're winning today and I'm scoring.' And I made it happen, which is good."

There has been speculation over Toney’s future, but he showed that he could be crucial to Brentford's season by playing a starring role on his return.

“That felt good, that felt very good. Hearing the fans screaming, just back on the pitch, scoring goals, winning games, it felt very good,” he said.

“I always believed we had enough in the changing room to win today. They are a great side but the boys dug deep and I think we deserved it in the end.

“A lot of people messaged me before the game but [the attention] is what it is, you’ve then just got to perform. You can’t let the nerves get to you, you’ve got to perform, people are here to watch you and you’ve got to put a show on - hopefully I did that.”

Brentford boss Thomas Frank said Toney is a “man for the big occasion”.

“It's a boost to have Ivan back but we showed great character to stay in the game,” he told Sky Sports.

"He was impressively good. He's been out for eight months. He's a man for the big occasion. He doesn't feel the pressure. He played the football he loves. He was ever-present with his link-up play."

Brentford next play Tottenham on Wednesday, January 31.

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