You won’t just find Rotherham United goalkeepers Viktor Johansson and Dillon Phillips on the training ground together

We're not talking about Viktor Johansson, Dillon Phillips and their battle for the Rotherham United first-term goalkeeping jersey.

This is all about who's king of the greens.

The Millers' two senior shot-stoppers may be rivals but they've also become firm friends since Phillips was signed in the summer to challenge the Swede whom manager Matt Taylor rates as the best keeper in the Championship.

So any day off often sees them loading up their clubs and hitting the golf course together.

“I think we're about level for wins,” said Phillips. “Viktor says he plays off a nine but he hits the ball like a two- or three-handicapper. I play off four. There ain't much in it. It's been good.”

Johansson was famously caught on film endangering a fence with a wayward swing during Rotherham's corporate day out at Wath during pre-season and the Swede saw the funny side as much as anyone.

“I almost killed someone as well," he grinned. “I love my golf. I think it's massive for me. Being out there with friends or teammates, that's where I get my ‘switch-off’. You start to learn more about them and get closer to them. It's a social hobby.

“Things are really good between Dillon and I. He's fitted in very well. We got along straight away. It's important to get to know who you're going to be training with every day and the golf has helped with that.”

Former Cardiff City man Phillips endured a tough year in Belgium with KV Oostende last term before agreeing a two-year deal at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

He's living in Sheffield but it's at the Millers' base Roundwood that he's really found the new home he was seeking.

“Viktor's a top lad and all the other boys have been brilliant with me,” he said. “They're a great group. It's what I needed after a difficult season in a foreign environment that I didn't enjoy.”

Johansson's imperious form between the sticks means that Phillips is still waiting for his first league action with Rotherham.

The newcomer has been restricted to two outings in the Carabao Cup and knows that, unless his adversary suffers an injury, his next appearance might not come until the third round of the FA Cup in January.

“Vik shows how good he is in training every day,” he said. “He doesn't take anything for granted.

“He wants to keep doing well and kick on. I'll be pushing him to do that, I want him to do that.

“Competition is always good and healthy competition is even better. I'm hoping to get some opportunities, but I want the club to do well, first and foremost, and Viktor to do well too.

“I won't be getting itchy feet. If my chances come just in cup games I'll try to do the best I can and go from there.”

Johansson, meanwhile, was still thinking about his Wath embarrassment. “I know I shouldn't be hitting a fence,” he said. “Then again, who puts a fence on a golf course?”

No worries. It’s too close to call on the fairways, but his name as is at the top of the goalkeeper leaderboard.