Steve Lomas has defiantly insisted he is up for the challenge after it was announced he is to leave St Johnstone to become the new Millwall boss.
The Northern Irishman will be formally unveiled at the Den once he returns from holiday next week after agreeing terms with Lions chairman John Berylson.
Lomas had long been one of the favourites to occupy the post left vacant following Kenny Jackett’s departure from Millwall in May and the odds considerably shortened when Saints formally gave permission for their manager to speak to the English Championship side earlier this week.
Those discussions went well, with the 39-year-old making a favourable impression. And the club has made the decision to appoint him despite considerable opposition from an element of their fan base.
Their anger was largely sparked by the fact Lomas was formerly skipper of their bitter London rivals West Ham.
However, Lomas said: “I like challenges and Millwall is certainly that but I’ve always relished them and this will be no different.”
“Having said that, I have been very impressed by the club and the board,” he added.
“I have lots of work to do so that will start as soon as possible but it is something I am really excited about.
“I know Millwall well as a club. It has a great set-up and passionate, loyal fans who, if we can get them on our side, particularly at the Den, will be a real asset.
“Millwall is a family club, a working-class club whose fans hold it very dear to their hearts. I’ve already been asked, what’s an ex-Hammer doing managing them?
“The answer is that I was a council estate kid, I love a challenge, I like hard work and I understand the fans who work hard all week and come to see Millwall on a Saturday expecting to see their team play with pride and passion.
“I am grateful for the responsibility of helping deliver that. For those who have their doubts, it is up to me to show by my actions, and more importantly, by our results, that they can believe in me.”
Lomas also thanked Saints for giving him his big break and wished the club and his successor likely to be his McDiarmid assistant Tommy Wright every success in the future.
He added: “I would also like to thank St Johnstone for giving me the opportunity when I joined the club a couple of seasons ago.
“I was replacing a successful manager in Derek McInnes and people maybe thought I was on a hiding to nothing. However, I was delighted that we made it into the top six and qualified for Europe two seasons in a row.
“The players are a brilliant bunch of lads and deserve great credit for what they achieved. I am sad that I will miss the next European adventure but I’m sure everyone connected with the club will enjoy it.
“I wish the club, and the new manager, all the best in the future.”
Saints also issued a statement from chairman Steve Brown in which he said: “Steve (Lomas) will go down in Saints’ history books as a successful manager during his relatively short time in charge.
“We wish him well and thank him for his efforts with St Johnstone. We would also like to thank the Millwall management for the courtesy and professionalism they have shown.”