Millwall midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe has praised boss Neil Harris for his influence during the Lions’ playoff-challenging season.

The 25-year-old played all 90 minutes of the club’s final game of the season in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa as they finished with 72 points.

It was his 27th appearance in all competitions this season following his departure from Fulham last July.

Tunnicliffe told News Shopper: “I think he’s had a big influence [on me]. As soon as you come to the club he tells you exactly what he wants and there are no airs and graces about it, he says he wants everyone to work hard and play for the shirt which I think suits me down to the tee.

“If you look at the way I play, I’m all about that running, tackling, hustle and bustle, so personally I think he’s brought a lot more out of me.

“It took me a few games to get used to how we play, where we have to get second balls and put it in the channels and stuff like that, so he’s taught me the other side of the game that I’ve not done as much earlier in my career.”

He also believes he has performed ‘quite well’ this season when called upon by Harris and, while he admits he wished to have played more, he credited his team-mates for the 17-match unbeaten run the club went on.

Now the squad will enter a prolonged summer break before returning this August for another Sky Bet Championship campaign, with Stoke City set to enter the fray following their relegation.

Tunnicliffe added: “We’ve had a year of experience at this level which is going to stand us in good stead, we’re confident now that we can beat the bigger teams.

“Obviously coming up from League One last year you’re a bit blind to it, you don’t know how you’re going to perform, but I think we’ve proven over the season that we were more than good enough to match anybody.”