Julian Börner pays big compliment to Sheffield Wednesday team-mate Barry Bannan

Börner was the first player to hug and congratulate Bannan after his match-winning performance in Sunday's hard-earned victory over top-six hopefuls Bristol City.

Bannan pulled the strings in the centre and bagged his first goal of the season from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining to send Wednesday up to third. The Scotland international held his nerve from 12 yards after Robins defender Tommy Rowe had been penalised for bringing down Atdhe Nuhiu.

Börner, brought on as a first half substitute for the injured Morgan Fox, told The Star: "I am so happy for Barry. The goal was important for and the team.

“Barry is amazing with the ball. I enjoy playing with him.

"He is one the best players I have played with in his position.

“Barry is so important to the team.”

Bannan’s spot-kick helped the Owls claim a fourth win from their last five outings.

But Börner insists the team must stay grounded as they look to close the gap on West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United in the race for the automatic promotion.

The 28-year-old said: "We are on a good run at the right time. It is brilliant to be in third place. Everyone is so happy.

"When you are winning, the feeling is always good in the team. We know we must keep working hard.

“It is fine margins in the Championship. Every game is tough so we have to keep working hard and stay concentrated.”

After replacing Fox, Börner partnered captain Tom Lees at centre-back, with Dominic Iorfa switching to right-back and Liam Palmer moving to the opposite flank in a major defensive reshuffle.

But Wednesday were solid defensively as they recorded back-to-back clean sheets.

Börner, who required two stitches to a facial wound, said: “The most important thing is the team is winning. It doesn’t matter who plays.

“When I am on the pitch, I try to do my best. I am happy to have played 60 minutes and I hope I can play more in the future.”