Managers guided Gill to Bristol Rovers

Matt Gill has revealed some advice from Norwich City manager Paul Lambert helped him decide to join League Two side Bristol Rovers.

The ex-Canaries midfielder was not offered a new deal to stay at his boyhood club after being signed by Bryan Gunn in the summer of 2009 – which left the 30-year-old Fakenham-born star with a decision to make.

And while his former club Exeter City and Walsall – where Gill made eight appearances on loan last season – were both in the hunt, Gill decided a three-year deal at the Memorial Stadium suited him best.

'I had a few League One clubs in for me and a couple of offers on the table, but the chance to play for a big club like Bristol Rovers was too good an opportunity to miss,' said Gill.

'I've worked with the manager (Paul Buckle) before at Exeter and had a really good relationship with him and this was another chance to link up with him. His management record speaks for itself and he was a major factor in my decision to come here.'

Gill added: 'The last few years have been unbelievable. It was a bit frustrating not playing a great deal during my time at Norwich, but I think being at a club like that has helped my winning mentality.

'Paul Lambert has been fantastic and during the last two years I think I've learned a lot about myself. I spoke to him when I was deciding who to join and he told me to ignore which league the various clubs were in and to join the best one.

'I talked it through with him and he agreed that joining Rovers was the best thing for me.'