Millwall boss gives his verdict on Scott Malone’s goal against former club Derby County

Gary Rowett praised the “Premier League quality” of Scott Malone after his long-range strike helped Millwall draw 1-1 at home against Derby County.

The former Rams player enjoyed his goal on the stroke of half-time as he celebrated in front of the travelling fans.

Both Malone and Mason Bennett had both been booed by the visiting supporters.

Asked about Malone’s goal, Rowett said: “Certainly from the left we’ve had that extra bit of quality in the final third. When you play those formations you need your wing-backs to score and set goals up…we saw it with Lenny in midweek against Reading.

“Scottie always looks a threat. If you can get enough balls into your forwards and get the ball out the other side then he’ll always look dangerous. He has got, at times, Premier League quality. And by signing him from Derby we’ve just put him in a formation which really suits his attributes. Today he showed that with a brilliant, brilliant finish.”

Rowett admitted that Danny McNamara needs to add end product to his game if he wants to secure greater game time. In recent weeks it has been Ryan Leonard preferred at right-back.

Rowett, asked if the academy product had been unlucky not to start, said: “Really unlucky but there are a lot of players who have been unfortunate. Danny is one of those – Maikel Kieftenbeld is another [along with] Smudge and Pearce.

“What we’ve asked from Danny is that in that position you’ve got to add some numbers to your game – set goals up and score goals. Dan is a young player and he’s had an incredible impact coming back from St Johnstone into our team. And sometimes what you find is a player just takes a step back to hopefully come strong. Danny will get his opportunities but Lenny has been really good on the whole. He’s been an important player for us.”