SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has revealed Rio Ferdinand was complimentary about the Shrimpers following Monday’s 2-1 defeat to MK Dons.

Ferdinand, who is the older brother of Blues captain Anton, shone for Manchester United and England during his own illustrious career.

And Brown said the former defender was impressed by what Blues were trying to achieve.

“It was great to have Rio at the game and to chat with him afterwards where he was very complimentary about what we were trying to achieve,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“Rio was right at the very top of the world game during his own career and we obviously can’t afford to do a lot of the things that the teams he played for did but he knew what we were about.

“It was obviously a frustrating game from our point of view and the result didn’t go our way but he was also complimentary about the way we had managed Anton.

“He felt were getting more from him than a lot of other teams and he wished us luck for the rest of the season.”

Blues are currently seventh in the League One standings with two games to go.