Millwall manager Gary Rowett gives insight into swoop for Derby defender Malone
Gary Rowett reckons Scott Malone’s decision to rejoin Millwall is a sure sign he is motivated to have a big 2020-21 season.
The 28-year-old left-sided defender has come back to SE16 on a season-long loan from Derby. Rams attacker Mason Bennett has clinched a permanent move.
Malone is out of contract at the end of June.
Rowett, who worked with the former Fulham, Cardiff and Huddersfield man at Burton, said: “Scottie’s made it clear to me: ‘I need a big season’ because in the current climate if you are out of contract and not done much or not played much football it is not a good scenario – particularly when you’ve got a lot of football left in you.
“I’ve known him quite a well and everything was outlined here so that he knew exactly what the deal was here moving forward and being part of a squad and what was needed. If ever there was an excuse not to come then he could have made it then. But he didn’t take it.
“He wants to come and earn the right to play and make us a better team.
“I’m really impressed with his motivation. He could’ve taken the easy way out with other options but he’s come back to a club he knows all about and the pressure of playing for this club. I’m impressed by his desire to want to come in the last year of his contract and fight for something next year.”
Malone looks ideally suited to the left wing-back role when Rowett plays a 5-2-3 formation.
But the Lions chief feels he is also a strong contender when he plays a four-man defence.
“Yeah of course – he’s played in the Premier League as a left-back,” said Rowett. “But the main premise is that we’ve added an extra layer of competition that I hope takes us forward adding different types of players to the group.
“When you look at Scottie playing at Fulham not much more than three seasons ago he scored six goals from left-back and was one of the best full-backs in the division. To have got him on loan, we’ve done a really good deal.
“He can add something really, really different.
“Ideally sometimes at a club you want to bring younger players who can grow with the team but I felt this is a difficult window and that we need the here and now.
“I want to improve and make the team better and have to look at players who have repeatedly done it at this level.
“We’ve got some really good players down that left side but wanted that really pacey, attacking wing-back.
“Looking around and seeing lots of big figures and big transfer fees, we spoke this summer about it being really difficult to do that. Scott Malone was absolutely ideal for what we were looking for.
“He is older, wiser, hugely motivated. It is a different formation and style of play with a different dressing rom. I think he’ll flourish and give us an attacking option down that side when we need it.”
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