Kieran
Agard insists he will wait until after the match for the pleasantries
to start on his first return to Rotherham on Saturday.
The
26-year-old striker will tread the New York turf for the first time
since his club-record sale to Bristol City last August, which came
after a summer-long will-he-won't-he saga.
Agard
enjoyed two magnificent seasons in a Millers shirt, both of which
ended in promotion, before being sold for around £800,000, which has
since risen above the million-mark, after intimating he would not
sign a new contract.
He
chose the then-League One Robins over Leeds and will be part of their
squad at the weekend after recently recovering from an injury.
Only
Lee Frecklington, Adam Collin and Richie Smallwood remain at the
Millers since Agard's League One days at the club, but the former
Everton trainee is looking forward to seeing some old friends.
However,
he won't let that get in the way of what is a vital clash at the
bottom of the Sky Bet Championship.
“I’m
going to be treating it like any other game,” Agard said.
“Of course I’ve been looking forward to it but I’m a professional. We’ll prepare properly for the game like we always do.
“I had two fantastic years at Rotherham. I can’t speak highly enough of the club, the supporters and the management staff for giving me that opportunity.
“I still have friends at the club, although there has been a great deal of change in my time away from there.
“There won’t be time for being nice, that can wait until after the game.
“We’ve been playing well recently and are unbeaten in three; we want to carry that on this weekend by winning the game.”
Agard scored in a 1-1 draw with Hull last week and although he is still unproven at Championship level, Millers boss Neil Redfearn is wary of him.
"He’s dynamic. He’s got athleticism and pace. Obviously, the kid’s got an eye for goal as well,” he said.
“In the summer before he left Rotherham, I think there was a lot of interest in him. He’s got massive potential and he’ll want to come back and do well. “
