Gary Rowett delivers verdict on 28-year-old’s Millwall future ahead of summer window

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has admitted that goalkeeper George Long will be given a chance to prove his worth during pre-season.

Long joined the Lions during the previous summer transfer window following a spell at Hull City.

Upon his arrival, the 28-year-old would have been hoping to emerge as the club’s first-choice keeper ahead of Bartosz Bialkowski.

However, Long was forced to watch on from the substitutes bench for all 46 of Millwall’s league games as he was unable to overtake his team-mate in the pecking order at The Den.

Long’s only appearances for the Lions came in the League Cup and the FA Cup as his side were eliminated in the third round of both of these competitions.

With the keeper’s contract set to run until 2023, Millwall could secure a reasonable fee for the keeper when the window opens in June.

However, Rowett has suggested that Long will be given the chance to impress ahead of the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking to News at Den about the goalkeeper, the Millwall boss said: “George is under contract anyway.

“He’s a player that I always felt there might be an opportunity to get into the team and stake a claim for that shirt.

“I think Bart’s form, his professionalism and his determination has made it very difficult for Longy.

“But behind the scenes, in training, Longy has been superb.

“He’s deserved an opportunity.

“I think we have to come back and every player in the squad has to see an opportunity to stake a claim, including George, for a starting shirt next year.

“I think pre-season will be a battle again.”

The Verdict

By keeping Long at the club this summer, Millwall will not need to strengthen their options in this particular position and thus can focus on other areas.

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