NEIL Harris said he was delighted for Michael Obafemi to get off the mark for Millwall.
The 23-year-old came off the bench at half-time to score eight minutes later with a smart finish against Blackburn Rovers.
The Lions would not be able to hold on as the Championship’s top scorer Sammie Szmodics equalised for the hosts at Ewood Park and the game finished 1-1.
It was Obafemi’s sixth appearance since arriving at The Den on loan from Burnley but his fight for match fitness prevented him from starting the game, with Aidomo Emakhu replacing him in the line-up.
After the game, Harris said: “I’m delighted for him, delighted for me to have my number nine score. Mike couldn’t start tonight physically, wasn’t able to go again off the back of his 70 minutes at the weekend [against Watford].
“We have to be careful with Mike, he’s our only fit striker and he’s come back from a long injury, so we have to build him in slowly. So really pleased with his performance but also where he’s at physically and mentally at the moment. That will do him the world of good to get off the mark.”
And Obafemi was not the only January signing who warranted a shoutout with Harris pouring praise on Japhet Tanganga after he was asked about the Tottenham Hotspur loanee in his post-match press conference.
The Lions boss said: “I thought he was outstanding again tonight. I thought he was really strong, showed real good leadership along with abilities on the ball.
“I thought Ryan Leonard was excellent and Michael Obafemi obviously his performance was really good and his goal was really important for him and for us. So individually a lot of good performances.”