Exclusive: Ryan Leonard Sets Sights on Premier League Push with Millwall

Millwall favourite Ryan Leonard would love nothing more than the chance to play in the Premier League.

The veteran defender triggered a one-year extension to his current contract with the Lions this week.

And the 32-year-old Leonard, now enjoying his seventh season at The Den with 176 appearances under his belt, is firmly focused on winning promotion to the top flight.

The ambitious East London outfit are 12th in the Championship and just seven points adrift of the play-off places with 11 league games remaining.

“If the Premier League wasn’t the goal then there would be no point playing,” stressed Leonard, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“Everyone wants to get to that next stage, whether you’re on the older side of your career like I am – or if you’re a younger player. Every player wants to get there."

“The Championship has proven, especially with what a few teams have done the last few years, that anything is possible in this league."

“It’s a tough league, but everyone can beat anyone on any given day. It’s something we can all strive for as a football club and keep working towards."

Leonard joined the Lions in a £900,000 deal from Sheffield United in 2019.

Having finished eighth twice and ninth once, narrowly missing out on the play-off mix, Leonard is understandably hungry to challenge for the chance to play in the Premier League for the first time in his career.

“The biggest thing about this league is that it’s relentless, there’s not many days off in terms of games and every team in this league is going to pose you a threat, whether that’s your Burnley’s or Leeds at the top of the table, or teams at the other end of the league,” reflected Leonard.

“Every game is a challenge, there’s no games where you can just rock up and expect to win the game."

“You’ve got be at it every single game, that’s something we’ve been trying to build on as a squad."

“We’ve got a lot of young players this year and a lot of older players, so we’re just trying to work together and build from there."

“It’s all about picking up results at the end of the day and climbing the table as much as we can.”

STEADIED THE SHIP

Former boss Neil Harris stepped down in December ahead of a testing festive period with the Lions having not won in four games.

But new manager Alex Neil, formerly of Norwich, Preston and Stoke, has steadied the ship and has set the tone for success with his side having lost just two of their last nine league outings.

“We’ve got a really good set of lads and we’ve got a really good team spirit, that’s what has really driven us the last few years,” added Leonard, who started his career with Plymouth and then made over 200 appearances for Southend United before his move to the Blades.

“I think if we can build on that and add little bits of quality, which is what the club have tried to do in signing players – and bringing players through [the Academy] – then I think it’s a recipe that can really bring the club success,” he said.

“As players, whether you’re senior or younger, we’re all pulling together. And, if we’re all working together, then this season can be a really good one.”