Rotherham United boss Steve Evans said he used to be afraid to talk to his counterpart at Ipswich Town tomorrow, Mick McCarthy.

Evans, who led Boston United and Crawley Town to the Football League, has enjoyed a successful career in the lower leagues and is enjoying his first crack at the Championship.

He admits he holds McCarthy, who has vast managerial experience having led Republic of Ireland at a World Cup and, for many years, managed in the top two tiers of English football, in high regard.

“I didn’t know Mick a lot. I used to be frightened to talk to him,” said Evans.

“He was just someone I looked up to. It was like looking up to the top people in the Premier League.

“He had that aura about him. But when you do get talking to him he’s one of the most honest, brightest, intelligent but simple, basic managers you could wish to come into contact with.

“His Yorkshire is a bit like Steve Evans’ Glaswegian. Yes is yes. No is no.

“My relationship with him has been built on that. It’s built on professionalism and a respect for a man who I look forward to seeing on Saturday.”

The Scot, has led the Millers to back-to-back promotions, and won the play-off final against Leyton Orient, in May.

We go to Ipswich and we hope we can produce a good performance,” said Evans, who will be without ineligible Ipswich loanees, Paul Taylor and Anthony Wordsworth for the clash.

“We know we have to produce a good performance to add to our points tally.

“We look at the week ahead – Ipswich, Blackburn and Norwich City – Why did we work so hard in League One? Why did that play-off win mean so much to us?

“The reason why is what it brought the following season. This week coming is just tells you why you want to be in the Championship.”

Former Town trio, goalkeeper Scott Loach and loanees Paul Green and Frazer Richardson could all start for the Millers.