DAVID Wheater was just about the only Wanderers player with something to celebrate as he left the Reebok on Saturday night.

The defender’s wife Laura had given birth to the couple’s first child, Olivia Rose, born at 7lbs 13oz, at 7.04pm the previous evening.

And the local press pack were evidently holding the big man up as he raced to make visiting time.

“I didn’t see her for long last night because I got chucked out of the ward at 10pm,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting back and seeing her – but then they said I had to come in and speak with you guys.

“It has worked out fine because her parents have been with her today and my parents are coming with me tonight to see them. Had there been no one with her I would have missed the game.

“My wife had a Caesarean but not an emergency one. It’s perfect time for season to end for me. I can get that bonding time. Otherwise I wouldn’t have much time to see her. Now I can look after the missus and the baby.”

Wheater admitted that the dressing room was “on a downer” having dropped yet more home points.

And the defender admitted his part in the goal that brought Birmingham back into the game.

“I fancy my chances against most strikers but Zigic is so tall and it was a great header,” he said. “They kept fighting to the end and got the result they wanted.

“We were a bit a bit down, especially the strikers who missed a couple of chances.”

Despite the disappointment, Wheater still has high hopes for next season – especially if the club can secure the services of striker – and fellow ex-Boro boy – Lukas Jutkiewicz.

“If we start next season like we have finished this one and get the players in like Dannsy and Juke, we can do well,” he said.

“Juke has told me he wants to stay. He has scored all the goals he has so Middlesbrough might think, we can put him in and he will do that for us. We will see what happens but hopefully he will come back.”