MILLWALL boss Gary Rowett dismissed suggestions that he was jealous of Cherries’ resources, before going on to praise former Charlton teammate Scott Parker on promotion.

Whilst Cherries have recorded the fourth highest transfer profit in Europe since their relegation in 2019/20 according to transfermarkt.com, pundits and opposition fans alike have claimed that the Dorset club’s success was near-inevitable thanks to a combination of parachute payments and players remaining at the club from the Premier League.

However, Lions chief Rowett believes Parker deserves more credit for leading both Cherries and his former club Fulham to the Premier League.

Initially responding after being asked if he was jealous of Cherries, Rowett began: “Bloody loads of jealousy, what are you talking about? You are kidding, aren’t you?

“No, I’m not jealous at all of Solanke and Kieffer Moore.

“Listen, I spoke to him before the game. I played with Scotty at Charlton, he’s a great lad. Top, top player and what he’s turned into is a top young manager.

“He’s had two promotions with two very good sides but you’ve still got to turn that mentality around. He’s got a really fit, mobile team with a mixture of youth and experience. And they run for him.

“I said that to him before the game, you’ve got good players to run for you and that’s half the challenge as a manager, because they’ve got the quality.”

Rowett went on to share his belief that Fulham and Cherries had deservedly clinched promotion.

“He’s done a fantastic job,” continued the former Stoke and Birmingham City boss.

“I wouldn’t want to take anything away just because they’ve got a good squad. You’ve still got to lead it, you’ve still got to shape it and it’s a tough division.

“They’ve been absolutely fantastic this season. Them and Fulham have been the ones that have most deserved to be promoted automatically.”