Millwall striker Matt Smith: Connor Mahoney was bought to serve me up glorious crosses – he did that in Luton game

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall’s third goal in their New Year’s Day win over Luton Town was exactly what Matt Smith was told would happen when he signed for the SE16 outfit in the summer.

The former Fulham, QPR and Leeds striker headed in Connor Mahoney’s delicious cross to cap off victory over Luton Town.

And Smith says that kind of link-up play was exactly what then Lions boss Neil Harris had in mind when he signed the pair.

Mahoney started in the side but lost his place as the campaign continued.

He was a second-half substitute at The Den on Wednesday – his assist coming after scoring a fine solo goal.

“It was a tremendous impact off the bench – he was brilliant,” said Smith. “He showed everyone his quality.

“He got bought in the summer to be a foil for me on the left-hand side. That was one of the first things that got mentioned to me when I got signed – that I was going to have a great crosser of the ball.

“He showed that with the third goal. It was a world-class cross – bread and butter for someone like me to put away.

“Confidence comes with a run of games in the side, which he hasn’t had yet since maybe the beginning of the season. But we see it every day in training, what he’s capable of. He’s a tremendous talent. He’s only young and he hasn’t had that much experience in the Championship, so I’m sure games like today will do him the world of good and he’s going to go from strength to strength.

“I know all too well how difficult it can be coming off the bench regularly and not getting that run in the side, you do need a bit of mental strength to turn in performances like he did today. I hope he continues because ultimately id he does like that he is going to get me a lot of goals.”