Rene backs Saddlers to react well
Walsall suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign as they were hammered 5-1 by the Saints, making their first-ever visit to St Mary's a miserable one and virtually ending any faint play-off hopes.
Though not at fault for any of the goals, the recalled Gilmartin was devastated to see five flash past him and expects a reaction from the squad against the Lions.
He told Advertiser Sport: "It's time to show people our character after losing 5-1 – it's not nice and it definitely hurt me.
"It should bring more out of the players after a beating like that and hopefully our performance this weekend will prove that.
"Personally I thought I did ok, I was very busy in the first 20 minutes and made a few saves but it was a tough, tough game.
"We're expecting a difficult game against Millwall too – it was a tough game at their place (the Lions won 2-1 at the Den in December).
"They are a good side but so are we – people will say '5-1, how are they going to react?' but I think we're going to turn it into a positive."
Gilmartin enjoyed a run in the side earlier in the season until he was sidelined by injury but a blunder by Clayton Ince in the recent loss to Yeovil handed him his chance.
He added: "I'm delighted to get back in, I've been working hard in training and it's good to see the gaffer notices that.
"There's not really a number one at the club now, it's a battle between me and Clayton, that's apparent from how it's gone this season.
"My injury was unfortunate as it was my first real run in the first team and I was learning about my game and about league football.
"Now I want to try to stay in the team until the end of the season and earn myself a new contract."
Rhys Weston and Steve Jones both returned from injury as substitutes at Southampton and came through a midweek reserve match.
But Walsall are still without Dwayne Mattis (leg), Sam Parkin and Peter Till (both hamstring).
Rene Gilmartin in action at Southampton. PICTURE: KEVIN GRICE
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