Millwall’s image played down as Wise signs

DENNIS WISE signed for Millwall yesterday insisting there were ‘‘no hard feelings’’ between him and Callum Davidson despite his sacking by Leicester.

The 35-year-old was axed by City after an incident on their pre-season tour to Finland, which left Davidson nursing a fractured cheekbone.

But Wise insisted that incident was behind him - and he had already shaken hands with the Scotland international.

And the former Wimbledon, Chelsea and England midfielder vowed not to let his reputation as a physical player affect his full-blooded style of play after signing for Millwall until the end of next season.

He said: ‘‘I regret things that have happened but it’s time to move on.

‘‘I shook hands with Callum the morning after the incident and I’m glad to see him back in the team. I’d like to wish him all the best.

‘‘There’s no hard feelings. In life you forgive and forget and get on with what you have to do. I was brought up to believe you shake hands and put it behind you. It hasn’t been a wonderful time for me. The last eight weeks the press have had fun with me but that’s over with.

Millwall manager Mark McGhee is keen to see Wise’s battling qualities put to good use on the pitch with the Lions looking toothless this season.

But he warned Wise not to get himself into trouble with referees in the First Division.

He said: ‘‘I’ve made it quite clear to Dennis we want him to come here and compete.

‘‘He’ll intimidate the opposition but because of his reputation it’s got to be controlled. I don’t want him to miss half his games.’’

Wise is joining a club with similar image problems. Millwall’s reputation has been tainted by the misbehaviour of their fans.

But chairman Theo Paphitis played down his club’s reputation, and insisted both Millwall and Wise would let their football do the talking this season.

He said: ‘‘We had half a meat pie thrown on the pitch last season and it got more media coverage than when bottles were thrown at Chelsea. ‘‘It’s a label we have to live with and Dennis has a similar label.”