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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Mark McCadden

Rotherham boss on his expectations for Chiedozie Ogbene as contract countdown continues

Chiedozie Ogbene has been tipped to see out his Rotherham contract in style.

The Ireland international will be a free agent in the summer and is expected to finally leave the Millers when his deal expires.

There was plenty of talk of a possible January transfer window move, but Rotherham boss Matt Taylor revealed on Friday that there was no late interest in the forward.

READ MORE: Stephen Brennan on his time at Newcastle under the great Bobby Robson

And any bids that were received in the middle of the month fell well below the Championship side’s valuation of the 25-year-old.

Taylor is confident that Ogbene will be a big asset between now and the end of the season, as the club bids to avoid the drop.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's meeting with Sheffield United, he said: “I’m looking forward to what he (Ogbene) can produce these next 18 games.

“He’s been excellent these last couple of games, he’s fully focused and there’s a brightness about him.

“He’s been motivated and re-encouraged by the bodies we’ve been able to bring in, so hopefully there’s less pressure on Cheo.”

Ogbene has scored seven goals in 27 appearances so far this season for the struggling Millers, who are currently five points above the drop-zone.

As for the former Cork City and Limerick man’s contract, Taylor added: “We know his situation at the end of the season, but now hopefully it won’t just be a case of is Cheo our only attacking outlet.”

Rotherham made seven signings during January and they stuck to their guns when it came to interest in Ogbene.

“There were no late bids, a lot of interest in the middle of the window, which we spoke to Cheo about,” Taylor said.

“I cannot compliment Cheo enough about how open and honest he’s been with us in terms of his expectations, where he wants his ultimate destination to be, whether that’s this window or the end of the season.

“We were really comfortable with how the window panned out for Cheo, probably less dramatic than it might seem on the outside.

“We were comfortable in the last couple of weeks that if something dramatic changed in terms of the figures that were being put to us for someone of his ilk, then we were comfortable with him staying at this football club.”

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