“This is an emotional game so I’m sure he’s got some feeling inside, but his outside demeanour handled it brilliantly and I would hope that puts that [booing] to bed.

“If he comes back to play Swansea again, I would hope that people will respect what he did [on Saturday] and just move on.”

Grimes made 333 appearances for Swansea and captained the club for more than five years.

But his move to Coventry – who were just four points better off than an out-of-form Swansea team when the transfer was agreed – upset sections of the Welsh side’s support.

Grimes was jeered by away fans when Vitor Matos’ team went to Coventry in December, and there were sustained boos as he came back to Swansea.

Matt Grimes holds his hands in the air after scoring Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Matt Grimes struck from outside the area as Coventry ended Swansea’s 10-game unbeaten home run in the Championship

The abuse died down, however, after Grimes’ goal.

He told Sky Sports that the decision not to celebrate was because he “has a lot of love for the club and a lot of the staff are still here”.

Former England star Lampard, who played for Swansea as a youngster, says he cannot understand the abuse Grimes has received.

“He’s spent 10 years here giving his everything for the club,” Lampard added.

“I’ve got a lot of affection for Swansea because I came here on loan many years ago and I liked it.

“I’m not criticising the club here, I’m just thinking why would a person turn up to come and boo Matt Grimes after the service he gave the club, and then he moves on as we all do in life at different times?

“Sometimes they kick you out or sometimes you move on. That’s life. So it was strange and maybe some people might mull on that tonight because I think the way he dealt with it was great.”

Related topics

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  • Coventry City
  • Championship
  • Football

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