The man who put a bit of devil in Rotherham United’s Dan Gore

Not just the prospect himself, who is proving to be a compelling blend of class and contentiousness in his loan spell with the League One Millers.

No, we're talking about Dan Gore senior – the father taking a keen paternal interest in his son's career and the figure who taught Gore junior at a very tender age the importance of not taking a backward step.

“My dad sort of drilled that into me from being young,” the Manchester United loanee said. “He always told me: ‘You've got to get stuck in, you've got to work hard.’

Gore has done both of those things since his summer arrival for a second stint at AESSEAL New York Stadium following last term's frustrating three-month one when a foot injury saw him play only three times from February 1 to May 3.

He's also shown a top-flight touch, vision, slick passing and the ability to beat an opponent in a tight space and stay away from him.

“I wouldn't say it's gone better this season than I thought it would, because I believe in myself and I know what I can do,” he said. “I know I've got more to show.

“I'm just glad to be playing and getting a good run of games under my belt. I feel good - ready to go in every match.”

Manager Matt Hamshaw isn't the only one finding plenty to admire and the former Burnley youngster has become a firm favourite of the Rotherham crowd.

“Yeah, I definitely feel the support,” the youngster said. “I just want to give everything on the pitch for the fans as a way of saying 'thank you' for their backing.”

Life off the field is as good as it is on it, and Gore, whose family base is in the Manchester area, became a dad for the first time when his daughter entered the world in August.

“It's good, I'm enjoying it,” he said. “It's very special. When I go home, it's just nice to see the baby and stuff. I live in Sheffield at the minute. When we have days off, I get to go home and see her. It's a nice time, just to chill and relax and take my mind off football.”

Little Nellie Gore has already been to her first game at New York.

The 5ft 5in competitor has been effective for the Millers as the ‘1’ in a 4-1-3-2 formation and also in a 3-4-3 system alongside Kian Spence, protecting the backline and instigating and joining in attacks.

“I've always been smaller than a lot of opponents, so I've learned to use my body well,” he said. “There are other sides of defending like blocking your man and stuff like that – the dark arts of the game. It's been good to learn more of those sorts of things this season.

“I've been good defensively and I think I can add a bit more going forward now. You can always push for more.

“The gaffer just gives you the confidence to go and express yourself and be confident on the ball. He just wants me to play how I play. He knows the qualities I've got.”

Next up, the festive schedule, starting this Saturday at home to Huddersfield Town before trips across the M62 to Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool on Boxing Day and December 29 respectively and New York encounters with Peterborough United on January 1 and Mansfield Town three days later.

“It's obviously a busy time,” Gore said. “If we come out of Christmas with some good results, we can really push on in the new year.”

Gore Snr – who never misses an opportunity to watch his lad in action – will be at all four matches and demanding that uncompromising Gore Jnr asks for no quarter and gives no quarter either.

“You've got to be able to mix it in League One because it's a tough division,” the player said. “You have to have that to your game, otherwise you're going to struggle.”

If he's not at his best, he knows that a certain someone will give it to him straight not long after the final whistle.

“Yeah, I get a bit of an inquest from my dad every Saturday night,” he smiled.

Last season was mentioned – a debut at Birmingham City, a long spell out, then two appearances, at Stevenage and at home to Peterborough United at the end of the campaign.

The combative spirit imbued in him by his father was quickly in evidence when it was suggested it had been a time to forget.

“It started well, actually,” he fired straight back. “I got an assist in my first match.”