Millwall defender James Meredith says he laughs off abuse from Bradford fans.

Meredith, 29, left the Bantams to join the Lions on a free transfer earlier this summer.

The Australia international spent five years at Valley Parade, and established himself as one of League One’s best full-backs.

He said: “They [Bradford fans] send snake emojis to me on Instagram. It doesn't bother me. I’ve got thick skin so I can take it [the abuse]. I laugh at it when I see it. 

“It is what it is. I did my job at Bradford and I did it well.

“So, I saw a good opportunity to play in the Championship and Neil Harris really sold me the club and I’m really happy I made the move.

“I’m loving it at the moment. I just want to keep working hard and progress. I had other interest and Bradford offered me another contract, but Neil really sold it to me. That’s the truth of it.”

Meredith made his competitive Millwall debut in their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Friday evening.

The Lions were desperately unlucky not to come away with anything after hitting the crossbar, missing an open goal and having a Steve Morison goal controversially disallowed for an off-the-ball foul.

Aiden O’Brien and Jed Wallace had efforts on either side of half-time that they should've scored, too.

It was a performance which proved Millwall will be no pushovers in the Championship, despite being one of the bookmakers’ favourites to go down.

MORE: Five things we learned from Nottingham Forest 1 Millwall 0

Meredith added: “We’ve set down a marker. We didn't play and move the ball like Forest did but we created more opportunities. We were stronger than them.

“We should've won. They’ll say we should’ve won, really. 

“We just have to look to the next game and hopefully we can be as solid as we were against Forest and keep putting in these performances.

“I’ve got real faith in the team and the lads and I think we’ll have a decent year.”

Meredith started ahead of club captain Tony Craig at the City Ground.

The 32-year-old made the left-back position his own last season, helping Millwall to promotion.

And Meredith is relishing the chance to compete with Craig for a starting berth.

He said: “No one can just turn up and expect a position. Tony Craig is a great player, who is a legend at the club.

“I knew I’d be competing for a spot, and I still am, every week. You can’t lose games and expect to play.

“So, with the type of person I am, anyone will tell you that I get my head down, work hard, I’m very professional and I’m always doing my best for the team.”