Millwall manager Gary Rowett has paid tribute to Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele for his contribution to the club during the time at The Den.
Steele – whose contract with Forest expires this summer – joined Millwall on loan last summer, extending the deal until the end of the season back in January, although he made just two appearances, both in the League Cup, for the Lions, largely playing second fiddle to Bartosz Bialkowski.
But despite that lack of game time, Steele has clearly left a positive impression on Rowett during his time with the club.
Speaking about Steele, Rowett was quoted by Nottinghamshire Live as saying: “I think they’ve had a really good impact – all the way from Steeley, who’s not played but been unbelievable in training.
“He’s a great character, he comes in and works hard every day. It takes a special type of person to be able to do that when you’re not playing at the end of the week.”
Should Forest have given Luke Steele more of a look-in?YesNo
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Discussing the importance of having players such as Steele behind the scenes at a club, the Millwall boss added: “Sometimes people think the season is about the players on the pitch.
“If you’re not in the squad or on the bench a lot, haven’t played much, to train so well and be so professional, that’s just as important as the players on the pitch. It keeps the players motivated, it keeps them working.
“Steeley pushing Bart every day in training. He doesn’t get much opportunity but ultimately his professionalism helps others perform.”
This is an interesting one from Rowett.
When you look at the lack of opportunities he has had at Forest, and the impact Brice Samba has made at The City Ground, it is hard to see Steele getting a new deal with Forest.
However, this testimony for the goalkeeper from Rowett certainly seems to suggest that he could be a more than useful asset for a Championship club next season, although you wonder if Steele himself may be the tempted by any opportunity to perhaps step down a level, if it gives him the opportunity of more first-team football before he brings an end to his career.
