Kelly makes instant impact on Rotherham and boss Warne
ROTHERHAM UNITED signing Georgie Kelly has made an instant impact in training but manager Paul Warne says Freddie Ladapo’s transfer request will not be held against him now he is due to stay at the club for the rest of the season.
Perhaps the possibility of losing Ladapo was a factor in signing Kelly from Bohemians but when the window closed Rotherham had both – plus Michael Smith, Will Grigg and Josh Kayode – as to Warne’s surprise, no bids were forthcoming.
Kelly therefore faces stiff competition but has already made a good impression in a practice game between seniors short of minutes recently and a mixture of reserve and youth team players.
“He’s just played in a game and been really excellent, scored a goal, his first goal for the club a header from just outside the six-yard box from a cross from my son (Mack), so I’ll just give my son a mention because as a dad I probably don’t give him enough love,” said Warne.
“Georgie was excellent, ran around, was a real threat in the box and I was really pleased with him. Straight away the lads have taken to him. If something happens to one of my strikers I’ll have no problem him putting in the squad, then it’s about getting on the pitch.
“He knows he’s got a painful road to get to the physical stature of the players here but he’s got a real determination, he’s a real clever lad, he understands. He’s already started his programmes and he’s progressing nicely.
“He’s an amazing guy. You’ll sit there and chat to him, you want him to do well and his teammates want him to do well. He’s a big part of our success here.”
Warne says he has no injury “dramas” from Tuesday’s 5-0 win at Doncaster Rovers. The League One leaders host Accrington Stanley tomorrow.