‘I’d love to stay longer’ – George Saville keen on Millwall stay and rates goal at Hillsborough as one of best in his career
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
George Saville has admitted he would jump at the chance to extend his Millwall contract.
The 30-year-old midfielder produced a superb 25-yard finish in last weekend’s 4-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday, as new Lions head coach Joe Edwards kicked off his reign with a thumping result.
Saville has made 166 appearances for the South London club.
Asked about his future by the South London Press, the Northern Ireland international said: “I’ve got this year left. There is a clause for potentially one more, an option year. At the moment it is this season.
“Of course I’d love to stay. I appreciate the fans as well. They show me a lot of love.”
Saville marks his goals with glasses celebrations – which are for his three-year-old daughter Winnie.
“My little girl is visually impaired,” he said. “It is the biggest thing in my life. It comes to mind straight away. I think that is what I’ll be doing from now on.”
Saville has scored two goals for Millwall – both left-footed and in away wins.
He got the clincher in the 2-0 victory at Plymouth and then struck with the outside of his foot against the Owls.
“My first professional goal, when I was at Brentford, is probably the best I’ve scored but Saturday’s is up,” said Saville. “Without sounding arrogant, the Plymouth one was quite easy. The defender was in line with the post and I used him to guide it around him. Whereas this one I actually had to put my foot through it.
“Obviously it was a really good and enjoyable day. I don’t remember the last time we won 4-0 or even scored four goals. It was great for the new gaffer to get a win, a good confidence boost for the lads and a brilliant day for the fans.
“It just felt like everything went for us. You get some days like that in football but not often – so you’ve got to enjoy them when it all does click into place for you.”
Edwards had three sessions with his new squad before the fixture at Hillsborough.
“There were a few pointers that he came to training with and we executed it quite well,” said Saville. “There was a defensive set-up he wanted to work on – a 4-4-2 off the ball which was nice and compact.
“And there was a little bit on the distances between us all, he wanted to make them smaller – on and off the ball. When we are in good areas it means we have options and when we are defending then we are defending in numbers and able to impact the ball.
“He wants the distances between the centre-forward and the centre-backs to be as short as they can so that when we are attacking or defending we’re doing it all together.
“We brought that to the team and the shape was good.
“Joe’s style means he is hoping for us to score more goals and maybe focus on us a little more. I’ve scored goals in my career, it’s not something I’m short of.”
Edwards’ predecessor Gary Rowett left last month just days shy of four years as Millwall boss.
“He did a fantastic job for the football club,” said Saville. “One thing I would say is that he put the football club in a position where the men above, the suits above, were put in a position where they could make a decision where they wanted the club to go.
“They weren’t forced to make a decision because of the position we were left in or anything like that.
“It was a question of where they wanted to take the club next. Full respect to Gary for what he did and where he took the club.
“Now it is down to us as players the management and the people above that to take the club to the next step up.”