Robbie McKenzie backs manager Gareth Ainsworth’s vision at Gillingham after he signed a new two-year deal

Midfielder Robbie McKenzie was quick to sign a new deal at Gillingham as he believes the club is turning a corner.

McKenzie has penned a new two-year contract with the Gills and believes they could be going places under manager Gareth Ainsworth.

“I feel like the manager’s a good fit for the club,” said McKenzie, who has been with the Gills for the past five seasons.

“I feel like he’ll be positive going forward, and let’s see where it can take us.

“We finished this season on a positive note, which is important, and hopefully we can start next season with that, with a good squad.

“There was a nice feeling inside the changing room. The lads were all positive, the staff were all positive, and it was just a nice environment to be in. It brought out the best in us, and hopefully, we can carry that into next season.

“I feel like we’ve got a foundation in place, but we have to obviously build on what we’ve done this season.

“Hopefully, we can turn our fortunes around next season and be a bit higher up the league, looking up rather than down.”

McKenzie’s coming close to making 200 appearances for the club and was handed the captaincy at the back end of the season, taking over in the absence of Armani Little.

It was a responsibility he enjoyed.

He said: “I feel like he (the manager) gets the best out of me and he trusted me a lot to give me the captaincy for the last few games of the season. I feel like we have a good relationship.

“I didn’t expect (to be captain), to be honest, but it was nice to have.

“You have to be a little bit more mature on the pitch. I liked that feeling and hopefully something might come up again in the future, if I get it again, but we’ll see.

“I wouldn’t say I’m one of the most vocal people ever, like