Oxford United boss Gary Rowett hopes Millwall ‘gatecrash the top positions in this division’ – and discusses ex-Lions striker’s lack of minutes

Oxford United boss Gary Rowett hopes Millwall ‘gatecrash the top positions in this division’ – and discusses ex-Lions striker’s lack of minutes

OXFORD United boss Gary Rowett said he would relish the prospect of his former side Millwall “gatecrashing” the top six of the Championship, ahead of the Lions’ trip to the Kassam Stadium this Saturday.

Rowett managed Millwall for four years between October 2019 and October 2023, nearly guiding the Lions to the play-offs in the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons, missing the top six by two points and one point respectively.

The 51-year-old was appointed U’s boss in December 2024 and led them to three wins in his first three games – the last of which was a 1-0 win at The Den on January 1, 2025, also Alex Neil’s first match as Millwall head coach.

Rowett guided Oxford to safety that season, finishing four points above the drop zone in seventeenth.

Oxford are currently nineteenth in the Championship, having won three, drawn three and lost six.

Neil led Millwall to within two points of the play-offs again last season and has his side third after four consecutive wins.

Rowett would love to see them go all the way this campaign.

“I think myself and everyone would love to see Millwall gatecrash the top positions in the division,” Rowett said. “It looks like they’re certainly giving themselves a good go.

It’s such a unique club in terms of the fan base, but the way they’ve gone about things is certainly a beacon for any smaller team in the Championship.”