Millwall striker Matt Smith has revealed that had an hour-long discussion with former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany to ask the Belgian's advice about a masters course he was considering. 

The towering Lions striker has been a useful weapon for Gary Rowett after joining from QPR in the summer.

The 30-year-old has been in and out of the starting XI but has bagged 11 goals and four assists, helping Millwall move to within two points of the play-offs.

Smith's greatest contribution came in the final game before the delay to the season – scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest.

Whether the 2019/20 campaign will be concluded on the pitch remains unclear but it appears Smith has been looking further ahead and planning for life when his playing days are done.

Speaking to The Athletic, the striker revealed he had ambitions of taking up a boardroom role at a football club in the future and that discussions with Kompany had helped him decide to enroll in Manchester Metropolitan University's part-time Master of Sport Directorship.

He explained: "I wanted to get a better understanding of what I was getting into.

“He was kind enough to speak to me for an hour and the conversation gave me the insight I needed to be sure about the course and to be more confident about whether it was something I could do.

"My football career will always come first but this is something I can do remotely, over time. I’ve kept a keen business interest for as long as I’ve been playing and a lot of my friends are in the financial sector. It’s something I’m still very big on.”

Smith has settled really well at Millwall this season, so it is difficult to see him making any changes until at least the end of next season when his contract with the club expires.

Can you identify these 16 Millwall players by looking at these pixelated images? Have a go now!

 

 

The Verdict

Smith has proven a very smart signing for the south London club and is their top scorer in the Championship this term, despite regularly making his impact from the bench.

It's interesting to hear he has boardroom ambitions following his playing career and that he reached out to Kompany to ask for advice about the course.

For the time being, you'd imagine Millwall fans will be hoping he stays concentrated on scoring goals in the Championship.