Boro striker played ‘with his heart and head’ – as Millwall boss confirms bid to sign him permanently in summer transfer window

Millwall head coach Neil Harris reckons that new loan signing Josh Coburn played “with his heart and his head” on his debut.

The Middlesbrough striker made the move to the capital on transfer deadline day. He started and scored in the 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday before the international break.

The Lions had tried earlier in the summer to acquire the 21-year-old on a permanent basis.

“It’s an extremely important signing for us,” Harris told the South London Press. “Even in the short term as a loan.

“I have to be very careful. Josh obviously had an excellent debut. It wasn’t just his performance and goal that stood out for everybody, I think 14,000 Millwall fans saw a player with real qualities.

“He played with his heart as well as his head and ability. I think everybody enjoyed watching him – me included.

“I have seen Josh play like that for the last four or five years as a young man coming through from youth football, to U21 football and senior football.

“I know his credentials. I’m looking forward to working with him and trying to help him develop his game.”

Coburn had been compared to Manchester City star Erling Haaland after an impressive start to a loan at Bristol Rovers in 2022 when then Gas boss Joey Barton backing him to have the attributes to go on and play for England.

“I’m not going to put too much pressure on his shoulders at the moment and talk about what his next steps are away from us,” said Harris.

“We worked extremely hard over the summer with Boro to find the right agreement. It’s been well-publicised that we tried to sign Josh on a permanent deal.

“We worked extremely hard on that and Jimmy (Berylson, chairman) was extremely supportive on that. It didn’t materialise and we understand Boro’s situation with that.

“Josh has come here on loan – it was a situation that suited all parties in the short term.

“Within that, I look forward to working with Josh. My job is to make sure I look after my players. Josh is one of my players now and the priority for me is to make sure they develop as people and players.”

PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS