Old pal Taylor gearing up for a Latics reunion

PURE JOY . . . Chris Taylor celebrates his goal for Athletic against Millwall in 2009.

CHRIS Taylor’s last appearance for Athletic at Millwall brought with it a last-gasp match-
winning goal.

This time around, though, the boot is on the other foot as he tries to earn the Lions the point they need to nail down a play-off spot.

On loan from Blackburn, the man who progressed through the ranks to make 285 appearances for his home-town club has been praised for his impact during his second stint at The Den.

Taylor (29) left Athletic for the then-Championship club four years ago and after two seasons, switched to Ewood Park.

Now, after netting twice at Bury in a 3-1 win last week, the winger will take to the pitch against Athletic for the first time in his career and admits it will be an odd feeling.

“It’ll be very weird,” Taylor told the South London Press. “I left four years ago and I’ve never played against them. It’s a club I support; it’s a club close to where I live.

“I played for them for 10 years so it’s a club close to my heart and I’m glad they are safe so it takes a little bit of edge off the game -- but we are looking to win and see if we can close the gap.”

Taylor’s first goal at Gigg Lane came direct from a corner kick and then converted a Steve Morison cross late on to make the points safe.

While Athletic are now clear of danger, there is little danger of the Lions taking anything easy on Saturday.

A point secures them a top-six place and if Harris’s side win and Burton lose, then the race for second will go down to the final day with Millwall very much in contention.