Alex Bruce on Brandon Williams and when he might make his Rotherham United debut
“He'll play, but I'll bleed him in."
Rotherham United fans may have to wait a little longer to see new boy Brandon Williams wearing a Millers shirt.
The former Manchester United left-back today signed a contract until January with the League Two club.
However, he is short of match of action, so boss Alex Bruce is planning a gradual introduction for the 26-year-old.
That means Williams, who is seeking to rebuild his career after a troubled past, is unlikely to feature tomorrow when Shrewsbury Town are the visitors to AESSEAL New York Stadium.
"Brandon's got to a stage now where he can certainly handle it (the first-team environment)," the head coach said.
He's not played an 11-a-side game for a number of weeks, though, so it might be a little bit unfair on him to throw him into a competitive game. We've got reserve games over the next few of weeks, we've got cup games coming up. He'll play, but I'll bleed him in."
Williams spent pre-season on trial with Rotherham and continued to train with them after the 2026/27 campaign kicked off in early August even though he hadn't been offered a deal.
The player was with the Millers for nearly fourth months, travelling from his Manchester home each day, before Bruce decided it was the right time to put terms on the table.
"When Brandon first came here for pre-season, he was short," the boss said. "It was the first pre-season he'd had in a number of years. He's not played much football for a while.
"When we were getting ready for the start of the season, we needed to put players in place who were ready to play. Brandon wasn't ready. This is why I'm saying 'fair play' to him, he stuck around.
"I gave him the opportunity to stay, even though there wasn't necessarily a contract to be had. He's got better and better and better over that time. Now we have got a couple of injuries and we are light in the area where he plays. It just fits.
Williams played in the Premier League and Champions League with the Red Devils, but there was no 'big time' mentality from him as he hoped and waited for a deal, and he has become a popular figure at Rotherham's Roundwood training HQ.
"His attitude has been spot on," said Bruce. "He's not been knocking on my door or anything like that. "He's just come in every day, cracked on with his work and got himself. fit.
"I think he's enjoyed being around the lads. He's enjoyed the training, and you can see he's got better and better for it. There are, obviously, people who say this, that and the other about Brandon, of how he was when he was younger.
"I can speak only as I find him. He's been a delight for me."