‘It’s nowhere near the Championship’ – Millwall club record signing Ivanovic facing step up from Serbian football

Millwall head coach Neil Harris has talked about the work still required to fully integrate club record signing Mihalio Ivanovic.

The Serbian striker arrived at The Den on transfer deadline day but has yet to start a game.

Following Millwall’s 1-0 defeat at Cardiff on Tuesday night, Harris was asked when the teenager may be ready to feature from the start.

“We have to remember that Mihalio is 19 years old and he has moved to a foreign country to live on his own,” said Harris.

“He’s got a lot to learn about the game. He’s been thrown in really quickly because we are really light on numbers at the top end of the pitch.”

Harris indicated that it could be a little while yet before the former Vojvodina frontman starts for the South Londoners.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do with Mika over the coming months in his movement, link up play and in his understanding of the Championship,” said Harris, Millwall’s all-time record goalscorer. “Because he’s played at a very different level in Serbia – it’s nowhere near the Championship.

“We need to get him up to speed quickly but fitness-wise he is getting better all the time, every training session he improves and adjusts to the tempo.

“Mika is like Dan Kelly and like Alfie (Massey) to a certain extent. Femi (Azeez) has come back into the Championship from League One – it’s a completely different level. It’s such a jump from those levels to come back and play for our football club, we just need to be patient with those guys.”

PICTURE: BRIAN TONKS