Gillingham midfielder Robbie McKenzie wants to extend his stay at the club and says discussions have already started.
McKenzie’s approaching the end of his fifth season at the Gills and has made 165 league appearances for the club.
The 26-year-old has been a regular starter under new boss Gareth Ainsworth and wants to help in a renewed push for success next season.
“I’d stay at Gills, yeah, no problem,” McKenzie said when asked about a potential new deal.
“We’ll see what happens over the summer. Obviously, there’s negotiations to be done at that point.
“I feel like the club’s heading in the right direction now and hopefully the fans stay with us and next season will be positive for the club.”
McKenzie was asked if discussions had been started already.
“Slightly, yeah,” he said. “That’s going on behind the scenes so we’ll just let that be and play the football.”
His comments come after Bradley Dack also spoke about his desire to secure a new deal with the Gills.
McKenzie first joined the Gills in the summer of 2020, with the team then playing League 1 football. There’s been a relegation to endure, a battle to avoid dropping into non-league and a couple of seasons where the pre-season promise hasn’t been met.
“I’ve been here that long, I understand the club,” he said.
“I understand what the fans expect from the team and when you’ve been here this long, you feel a good way towards the club, and it feels like it means something to you.”
There’s plenty of positivity under Ainsworth and hope for better times ahead.
“He’s just a positive person,” said the midfielder.
“It’s just the environment that he’s brought to the club that’s really positive.”
A stunning goal at Walsall was a highlight this season for the midfielder, one of six he’s got during the 2024/25 campaign.
“That was a nice goal to score,” he said.
“I feel like there’s been lots of positives throughout different parts of the season for different reasons. It’s been a nice season for me and hopefully I’ve shown I can be a consistent player in that (midfield) position.”
The Gills face Cheltenham Town tomorrow (Friday).
Both teams are scrapping for places in the middle of League 2 but McKenzie insists there remains plenty to play for.
“There’s always something to play for as a player,” he said.
“If it’s your next contract, if it’s here or somewhere else, even just wanting to go out and win it for yourself and for the club. There’s always something to play for, there’s never nothing to play for.”
Ainsworth was asked about individual contract negotiations but preferred to keep them in-house.
He said: “It’s really good that everyone’s bought in and everyone now feels a buzz around the place. Hopefully we can make things happen.
“There’s all sorts of factors coming to contract talks and players signing and coming over the line. We keep it behind closed doors. It’s great to have the players wanting to be part of what I believe is going to be a great journey.”
