Hull City’s Ryan Longman was a loan hit at Wimbledon…now he intends to repeat feat back in South London at Millwall

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Ryan Longman has already had big loan success at one South London club. Now he is looking to repeat that impact with Millwall.

Longman’s first taste of senior football came when he joined AFC Wimbledon at the start of the 2020-21 season on a year-long stint from Brighton.

He notched nine goals and picked up four assists in 52 apperances during his time at Plough Lane under Dons boss Glyn Hodges and then his successor Mark Robinson.

“I have got all the time in the world for Glyn,” Longman told the South London Press. “He created my career in some sense – he gave me the opportunity to go and perform in League One. He took a chance on a young 19-year-old who had not really played really any men’s football.

“I was nervous – I didn’t know what to expect. You just have to go and do it as a youngster. You have to realise that this is your career now and you’re fighting for, and to keep, your shirt. It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 34, there are only 11 men on the pitch so you need to go out and become one of those.

“Glyn gave me a platform to go and express myself. He unfortunately got the sack but Mark stepped in and he was unbelievable to play under. He was a really goood coach.

“I still get a few Wimbledon fans who contact me now to wish me all the best, even when I got the move to Millwall.

“They were brilliant to me. Even though I never got to play in front of them (due to Covid forcing matches behind closed doors), they were unbelievable.”

The 22-year-old completed a transfer deadline day switch from Championship rivals Hull City to Millwall, penning a season-long loan deal at The Den.

When asked if he was looking to replicate his Wimbledon form for his new side, Longman said: “One hundred per cent. I want to be scoring goals and getting assists.

“If I can reach double figures, that’s the aim.

“Millwall have been in and around that play-off area for a few years now. I want to help them to get into the top six. The club is ready for it – they have just been unlucky in recent years.

“To get an opportunity at the play-offs would be unbelievable considering that three years ago I was playing in League One.

“It’s crazy how the rollercoaster carries on and you don’t know where it will take you.”

Hull boss Liam Rosenior cleared Longman to visit Turkish Super Lig side Faith Karagumruk when weighing up his exit options.

“They were quite interested and Hull have good connections with Turkey because of their owners,” said Longman. “I went out and had a look but, at the time, I didn’t feel like it was the right thing for me, my girlfriend and I have a dog as well.

“It put some thoughts in my head about playing abroad. But when Millwall came up, it was a no-brainer.

“I spoke with George Honeyman as soon as I found out Millwall were interested.

“He told me how unbelievable it is down here. It was even more incentive to get the deal done.

“It was a great opportunity and I’m back home down south.

“I’m happy it’s happened. I needed to get some minutes, I wanted to be in the Championship and I want to come and prove myself.

“Minutes are the most important thing. If you’re not playing, you’re not getting any better. For me, that’s a key thing that I have been brought up on – you need to be playing.

“Throughout my career, wherever it takes me, I want to be the best player I can possibly be.

Longman – at 22 – has already has recorded more than 100 appearances at senior level thanks to his Wimbledon loan stint and the two seasons spent at the MKM Stadium.

“It’s not too bad, is it?” added Longman. “It’s crazy. If you had spoken to me at Wimbledon and told me that I would have 100 league appearances at 22, it would have been unbelievable. I’m grateful for all the managers I have played under who have given me the opportunity to express myself.

“I still feel quite young, but I have been in and around the senior set up for a while now so I have more confidence in myself and in how I come across.

Longman, who has predominantly played anywhere across the front three during his career, made his Lions debut as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham, coming on as a wing back in place of Murray Wallace.

“I can fit into a few slots in the Millwall side,”  he said. “I did a stint at Hull at left wing-back where I played really well.

“There are multiple positions in the Millwall side where I can really see myself causing problems for other teams.

“There are so many injuries and games in the Championship, so being a versatile player is important.

“When you sign someone like myself, I like to think that you’re signing someone who can play in three positions.”