‘It’s 20 seconds you want to relive again’ – Tyler Burey on his first Millwall goal and a special celebration for his mum

Tyler Burey has spoken about the the biggest moment of his Millwall career – and why he almost instantly wanted to send a message to his mum.

The 21-year-old produced a superb finish past QPR goalkeeper David Marshall on Tuesday night to open his goal account for the South Londoners.

Burey was booked by referee James Linington for whipping off his shirt to celebrate. But he also formed his hands into the shape of a heart for his mum Stephanie, sat in The Barry Kitchener Stand.

“It’s 20 seconds you wish you could relive again,” Burey told the South London Press. “My emotions were running high.

“My mum and my agent were there watching me. It’s a weird one as well, because my mum was thinking about not coming because she’d got home from work late.

“She was debating whether or not to come but I think she had a gut feeling to come. As soon as I scored I sent her a loveheart, she was sitting up in the top tier.

“It’s great my mum was there because she has been with me from the start of my journey.

“Me going to Hartlepool was a big career moment but that was the best highlight – scoring for the club I actually play for – in a big London derby. I’ve come on and taken my chance, and it was really the only chance I had in the game.

“Shooting is one of my best attributes. I’m quite confident. As soon as I got the ball the other players know I’ve done it before in training – cutting in on my right and finding that far corner.

“As soon as it left my foot I thought it was going in.”

Burey joined Hartlepool on loan at the start of August and had three goals in seven League Two outings before he suffered a major hamstring injury.

He only returned to fitness around the start of 2022 and Lions manager Gary Rowett decided not to send him back to the North-East – no doubt partly due to some of his other attacking players being in the treatment room.

“That’s why my celebration was from the heart,” said Burey, who had not been yellow carded in his other appearances for the South Londoners. “The injury hit me hard. I wasn’t in the right mindset at the start. I had to change that around and start to become positive.

“I didn’t need surgery but I had to see a specialist and it was a grade three [tear] which is 12 to 14 weeks out. In football there is never a good or right time to be injured.

“To go from such a high to then not even being able to go on a football pitch and be able to run or touch a ball has been one of the hardest things in my career.

“I had to get back from a three-and-a-half-month injury with my hamstring. The last time I had my chance [at Millwall] was against Boreham Wood [in the FA Cup] and I should’ve scored – but I didn’t.

“A year later I got another chance and I have scored. It’s an amazing feeling.

“I had a chat with the gaffer after I came back from Hartlepool and told him I was hungry for another opportunity. I want to keep learning and learning – I’m still young.

“I need to stay humble, keep working hard and take whatever chances come my way.”

Burey has a fan in team-mate Jed Wallace, whose flick put him through for his big moment against Rangers.

There are definite similarities between the two – both never look to go into hiding or take the safe options, always trying to get into areas that hurt the opposition.

“I love Tyler – he’s having himself [confident in his ability] but in a good way,” said Wallace. “He’s got that edge I like to see in players.

“He needs big open spaces, sometimes it’s hard for him to show in training what he’s got. When he can run at people he has got that power and that pace.”

I can still remember Burey coming on in a League One match against Charlton in December 2018, only his third senior match, and injecting dynamism into AFC Wimbledon’s play.

“You have to be fearless as a winger,” said Burey. “Your job is to score goals and get assists.

“I know what I’ve got to do. I’ve been fearless from when I was young.

“Myself and Jed have got a great relationship. He is always there to help me, whenever he sees something he knows I could do better or add to my game.

“It’s good as well because he is a player who I want to be like, scoring goals and being the number seven.

“He has been in the game a long time and I need to soak up everything that he tells me.

“He is always positive with me and pushes me to be better.”