New Rotherham recruit Stephen
Kelly says that it was hitting it off with Neil Redfearn which tempted him to
join the club.
The 32-year-old put pen to
paper on a deal until the end of the season after a successful 10 day trial
with the Millers.
Kelly, a former Republic of
Ireland international, has been without a club since turning down a new deal at
Reading in the summer and is thrilled to get a deal sorted.
“I had a phone call about two
weeks ago, just about coming up and training and the manager was keen to speak
to me,” he said.
“He seems like a good
character and a good manager and I thought I would give it a go. It’s been
enjoyable. We discussed a contract over the weekend and I’m delighted to get it
sorted.
“The manager and Eric were a
big factor.
“I worked with Eric before at
Birmingham, we had some good times there, and speaking to the manager as well,
the type of person he is, the direction he wants for the club seems really
good, so that made my decision easy.
“I hit it off with him
straight away and he just seems like the sort of manager you want to work for
and play for.”
As well as the relationship
he has struck with Redfearn, the promise of regular action was also a defining
factor in signing for the Millers.
And despite having no club
for the first few months of the season, that could start against Leeds on
Saturday, with Redfearn hinting he will be used in a central role.
Wherever he plays, Kelly
insists he’s fit enough.
“The manager is looking to
bring some players in from the top league who have played a lot of games, just
to help with the situation we are in,” he added.
“For me it was an opportunity
to come and play and hopefully play every week. “That was the main thing to
come and get some football and try and get games every week.
“I would say I’m not far off 100 per cent. I’d been training
really hard by myself with a fitness coach and I’ve done a lot of work with the
fitness team from the Irish squad over the last few months just to keep on top
of things.
“I’m the sort of person who will push himself, and I didn’t want
to be in a position where I was in for three or four weeks before I was able to
play.
“Last week, we had a private game. I played the full 90 minutes
and was comfortable. It went well and there weren’t any problems afterwards, so
I feel confident I can come in straight away.”
