RICARDO Santos admitted he couldn’t wait to get off the pitch on Saturday – and fire a cheeky tweet back to Crawley!

The rock-solid Wanderers defender had been mocked on social media by his opponents when their centre-half Jordan Tunnicliffe was picked ahead of him in the EFL’s Team of the Year.

“Where’s Santos?” read the post, which was later deleted by the Reds.

Minutes after the 4-1 victory, which sealed Bolton’s promotion, the big man was beaming with phone in hand.

“I sent one back already,” he grinned. “I was ready for them! We’re promoted and they’re still here, so whatever.”

Santos was in justifiably jovial mood as he helped the Whites back into League One at the first time of asking.

Having signed on a free transfer from Barnet last summer, he recovered from a wobbly start to become one of Wanderers’ most consistent performers.

But the 25-year-old looked back at his first few months and joked he wasn’t quite sure which direction his new club were heading.

“We were all talking in the changing room thinking we’re closer to relegation, let alone get promoted!” he laughed. “I’d have probably signed for Barnet again!

“It has been a weird one. I think in February we were 19th or something like that. To climb up the league the way we did, I don’t think it’s been done before so I’m just buzzing.

“This group of lads are altogether and you can just see it on the pitch, everyone’s just willing to die for each other.

“I can’t even put it into words. To score four goals away from home as well. I think we’ve got good home form and we’d have liked to do it last week with the fans, but football does not always work like that.

“I’m just happy for everyone who is part of this club and the players and the staff that have believed in us and we got the job done - that’s all that matters.”

Santos might have missed out on the EFL Team of the Year – but his performances have warranted several awards along the way.

“I’m pleased and I just gave everything for the team and hopefully I get my rewards afterwards,” he added. “I’ve got my little accolades and player of the week, but what matters more is promotion and I’m just happy.”