‘Inspirational’ – Millwall boss Rowett on Luton realising Premier League ambition

Millwall manager Gary Rowett says that Luton Town’s promotion to the Premier League can only act as inspiration.

Rowett has previously talked about the similarities between the two sides – especially in terms of their physical attributes and set-piece prowess.

The Lions missed out on the Championship play-offs after a 4-3 defeat on the final day at home to Blackburn.

Luton went on to beat Coventry City on penalties last weekend to clinch a top-flight place.

“Firstly it is an incredible achievement by them,” Rowett told the South London Press.”I was travelling at the time, so I was able to watch the first half in the airport and then I was heading over to see a few teams in Holland. I missed the second half and managed to catch what was going on with the penalties online – that was about it.

“Rob (Edwards) going in there as a manager it was always going to be hard to maintain what was done previously (by Nathan Jones) but actually I think he’s moved it forwards and certainly progressed, in his own way.

“They are a side that have used the disappointment of the season before – not quite managing to get there – and they looked like a team that really believed they could do it. They worked incredibly hard to do it.

“Hat’s off to them. It’s going to be brilliant to watch them in the Premier League. It has to serve as inspiration to any team like that, like ourselves, that feel there is an opportunity there.

“If you look back we were very, very close and that is what can happen, if you can take the next step and get in amongst those four teams – anything can happen.

“People would have fancied Middlesbrough and Sunderland, in terms of technicality, but I thought, of the games I saw, Luton physically blew teams away – they couldn’t cope with it.

“It’s a massive achievement.”