Tom Bradshaw: I want Zak Lovelace to kick on after his Millwall debut

Tom Bradshaw has urged 15-year-old striker Zak Lovelace to use his Millwall debut as motivation to kick on.

Lovelace became the club’s second youngest player when he was introduced in second-half stoppage time in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Coventry City.

Bradshaw said: “I was over the moon for him. He’s been amazing in training – for a 15-year-old to come and train with the first team and not look out of place.

“He rang rings around a few of us in training. That’s something that isn’t just a novelty, that’s deserved tonight.

“I think I was playing for my local team at 15. It’s a brilliant achievement. He should use this as motivation now to kick on and try and get more minutes. He’s definitely got the talent.”

Bradshaw’s goal with 11 minutes remaining sealed all three points for the South Londoners.

The 29-year-old said: “You have those games where they are almost a stalemate. There’s no chances at either ends. Not even half chances really.

“I saw the ball drop, the keeper stayed on his line – it’s half a chance. I mishit it first time and thought it had gone. I mishit it a second time and I thought ‘my god’.

“Luckily I was about half a yard out so I couldn’t miss the third time. The best kind of goals. I enjoy that just as much as scoring a 25-yarder. They’re my bread and butter and to get the win was brilliant.”