‘Absolutely brilliant’ – Millwall boss Gary Rowett sings praises of U21s after PDL national play-off final victory

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has spoken of his pride at watching the club’s U21 team win the national Professional Development League play-off final against Sheffield United earlier this week.

Romain Esse and Chin Okoli scored for the Lions as they won 2-1 in extra-time at The Den.

First-team boss Rowett was in the directors’ box to watch Kevin Nugent’s team come out on top and cap off an excellent season in style.

“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant – I couldn’t have been prouder as manager of the football club,” Rowett told the South London Press. “Seeing a group of players and staff who have worked so hard this season.

“About three years ago they were training with about six players and it was one thing, when we came in, that we tried to push forward and give them that opportunity because there is some really good work being done at that level.

“You’ve seen that build.

“For the first 30 minutes we were outstanding and then Aidomo (Emakhu) missed a really good chance, an absolute sitter, and at that point you wonder whether it is going to come back and haunt us.

“They just kept getting stronger and they showed character and quality. They showed a bit of everything. It was lovely to see them celebrating at the end a deserved trophy and a deserved big win.

“There were some really good individual performances as well. The likes of Chin, Nino (Adom-Malaki) and Nana (Boateng) – there were some big performances from some of the younger players.

“They should be very proud. Nuge, Robbo (Paul Robinson) and the staff have done a fantastic job. Fair play to them.”