Millwall had strong League Two interest in defender – but Scotland switch made so much sense

Alex Mitchell had strong loan interest from League Two before the Millwall defender joined St Johnstone earlier this week.

The 20-year-old centre-back gained first-team experience at Leyton Orient last season.

Now Mitchell has linked up with Callum Davidson, formerly assistant manager at the Lions and now in charge of the Scottish Premiership club.

“Al has done really well in training with us and in League Two,” Millwall boss Gary Rowett told the South London Press. “It was always the aim to either go League One or the SPL. We had some very good League Two options, one of which we were very close to doing. But it’s hard, because sometimes you have to try to give the player that next level to see if they can do it.

“He has shown he can handle League Two. Now he might be playing Celtic or Rangers one weekend, in front of 50,000 fans, and the next week play at a smaller club with a lot fewer fans. The helter skelter of the SPL is really good. He knows Cal and I certainly trust Cal in how he tries to develop young players into first-team regulars.

“It is a division where you can face the equivalent of a Premier League team with Premier League support and then ones almost like League One or League Two as well. It’s got a little bit of everything. It’s a really exciting challenge for Alex.”