Millwall boss Gary Rowett takes issue with Jed Wallace’s celebration against QPR in their Championship opener on Saturday.
There were wild scenes in the away end of the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium when Wallace put Millwall ahead in the 11th minute.
Then he sprinted to the away end pursued by his team-mates and leapt in the air, seeing the joyous faces of the travelling support, something we haven’t seen very often in over a year due to the pandemic.
🗣 The Gaffer reflects on opening day point…#Millwall
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) August 7, 2021
Former Everton, Derby, Leicester and Charlton player turned manager Rowett said Jed Wallace showed his contract situation isn’t going to affect him – though quipped he had an issue with the attacker’s celebration as he opened his season’s account.
The Lions have been affected by Covid in pre-season with some players, including midfielders Maikel Kieftenbeld and George Saville, missing some game time this summer.
Rowett felt his side lacked energy later in the game as the Hoops came back to draw level, with both sides eventually taking a point each from the clash.
“I don’t think that necessarily helped us!” Rowett said of Wallace’s celebration. “All of the players sprinted to our fans, which I can understand, the emotions of the game.
“That’s what football’s about, that’s what we’ve all missed.
“I think it was nice as well for Jed, he showed that his situation at the moment certainly won’t affect him. He wants to play well for the club, for the fans and he’ll certainly relish those moments. He’s a big-game player.
“But if you watch afterwards we lost a little bit of energy for 10 minutes and maybe we’ll reserve some of those celebrations for the right time, later in the game.”
Rowett was also asked again for the latest on Wallace’s situation.
Rowett replied: “There’s no change. Any comment I make will be flipped into a number of stories. We are where we are.
“It was a great goal and I thought he performed really well, particularly first half, a really good partnership with Benik [Afobe].
“If we can get them a bit more service then I think those two will be a real handful.
“I’ve done three or four articles [responding to questions about Wallace]. He’s committed as you saw in his celebrations.”
‘Jed Wallace, Jed Wallace’ – class. pic.twitter.com/7Jw18zonjZ
— Jake Sanders (@JakeSanders92) August 7, 2021
QPR’s Mark Warburton gave his view on the game itself: “We started slowly, they were the better team and deserved the lead.
“We knew what was coming – they get the ball forward quickly and are dangerous with their physicality.
“We didn’t deal with it well in the first 15 minutes. But when we started to play towards the end of the first half we hurt them. We have to recognise that that’s the Championship out there.
“We had great games against Man U and Leicester and they’re lovely to have, but that’s the Championship today and you’ve got to deal with all aspects of it.
“I think both teams tired towards the end. It’s the first game and a big occasion with an intense atmosphere. Both teams looked drained in the last 10 minutes.”
We’re just going to leave this here.
😶 @jedwallace12 #Millwall pic.twitter.com/ZoIn8g9Hoy
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) August 7, 2021
Fans reacted as the Millwall boss Gary Rowett takes issue with Jed Wallace’s celebration against QPR…
@DanPoore3: Whatever Jed Wallace wants, give him it! What a fucking player!
@BL10CBL: Fuck sake Rowett if you reserve the celebrations as much as our attacks there’ll be nothing left
@dan_558: That was brilliant of you to come to the fans Jed, great celebration with a lot of emotion coming out on and off the pitch 👏🏻 🦁
@mickeyb6: What ever happens mate.. legend 🦁
@EddyEdwards75: Jed…. A proper millwall man… sign the ……………. Line pal and stay
@_BenCivil: What a bloody man 🦁💙
@JMillwall97: Sign that fookin contract
@englandsfinist: Have you played your last game for us as you gave your shirt away today?
@JamesWi84409921: Sign jed send us up 🆙 you know what we have in that squad!!!!!
@dansinnott321: Fucking love you Jed, that celebration means everything to us what a moment 🤩❤️
@Fish1872: It was some hit, I fear the day that Jed isn’t in a Millwall jersey anymore
@dianaday44: Fantastic to see your celebration, that’s one for the memory scrap book. A goal that put you right in the shop window. Good luck mate, you have to go where the heart is, life is to short for regrets. Once a Lion always a Lion 👍👍🦁🦁
@Regie1885: Great to be back, great goal and that celebration was quality. Can’t wait to get back home to The Den COYL
@MillwallMFC1885: The roar and limbs😍
@Tommy__MFC: jed wallace honestly please sign a new contract we need u so bad
@MLong94: JED WALLACE YOU FUCKING BEAUTIFUL BASTARD
@LewisStone93: Give Jed Wallace whatever he wants please 😭😭
@olivertomlin3: JED WALLACE IS MAGICCCCCCCC HE WEARS A MAGIC HAT AND WHEN WE WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP WE’LL SING THIS SONG ALL NIGHT
@StanCurd: How has Jed Wallace not been picked up by a Premiership club? Very, very tidy player.
@izzulirfxn: Death, Taxes, Jed Wallace balling
@DP_1990_: Honestly, Jed Wallace is so good it’s ridiculous
@mbishere1: My love for Jed Wallace is unreal
@Mick_Mason1885: I will miss Jed Wallace when the inevitable happens what a class act he is #millwall
@PropPersonnel: Jed is a quality player, and a lovely guy. Everyone at #Pompey still loves @jedwallace12
Jed Wallace sent the crowd Crackers Corleone.
So good to be celebrating a goal the way it should be. Standing with 1000s of others as close as a pickpocket on a tube train. Freedom is precious. Governments cannot be trusted that is all. pic.twitter.com/hh1KWWjCq3— Del Strain Comedian (@DelStrainComedy) August 7, 2021
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