Millwall boss on special shirt presentation to centurion Billy Mitchell

Gary Rowett is backing Billy Mitchell to add more to his game after the midfielder made his 100th appearance for Millwall in last weekend’s derby win at QPR.

The Lions players presented the 21-year-old with a framed shirt to mark his century of matches.

Lions boss Rowett said: “Scottie Malone came to see me in the week and asked if we got a positive result, he knows how I work, then can we do it afterwards.

“I said: ‘Yeah, why not?’. It should be something we champion – you’ve got people like Coops (Jake Cooper) who have played more than 250 games for the club and other players who have done similar.

“It’s good for any culture, recognising people who reach milestones. They are important in the game, especially for a young player – to play 100 games is a massive achievement. It’s only a start but it is still significant.

“They did it (the presentation) afterwards in the dressing room and the media lads filmed it, like they so often do. Billy got asked to make a speech by the other lads and all I can say is his 100 appearances have been far more impressive than his speech!

“It’s probably something he didn’t expect and was taken aback by it. I’m sure he appreciated the touch from his team-mates. How that idea came about I don’t know but I think Scottie and Mase (Mason Bennett) are quite good friends with Billy.

“I think it’s something we’d definitely do again if other people reach that.”

Mitchell has started 28 of their 30 Championship games this season.

The Lions academy product has played the full match in 22 of those fixtures.

Mitchell needs five more outings in the Championship to reach three digits.

He made his senior debut for the South Londoners at Wigan Athletic in May 2019.

“The amount of games he has played and the amount of times he comes out of the team, which is minimal, tells you how important a player he is,” said Rowett.

“The team selections don’t lie, do they? I wouldn’t pick him on the back of just being one of the young players coming through our academy.

“Billy has grown into a player I trust as a manager. I know he will give me certain attributes and does it very consistently.

“That’s a massive testament to Billy. He is the catalyst for a lot of the things we do whether we are winning or losing and chasing the game. He still shows the same attributes and desire to do the right things. He’s a pleasure to work with.

“He has got better and better. He still has a lot of room to grow. I don’t think people have seen his full range of passing yet or his ability around the edge of the box when he gets into those shooting positions.

“Sometimes that comes with experience.

“I remember back when I played my first 100 games, you feel like you need that to bed in, get your confidence, realise what you are and then you can grow from there.

“I’ve been very, very impressed with Billy so far.”