Scotland’s Lennon Miller Hails Debut as Highlight of Career
Midfielder Lennon Miller has hailed his Scotland debut as one of the highlights of his career, despite a concerning 2-0 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park on Friday. The 20-year-old, who plays for Motherwell, was one of the few bright spots for Scotland in a lacklustre performance, and he was full of praise for his own display.
“They were in the stands. It’s never nice to be making your debut in those circumstances – you want to be winning the game,” Miller told The Herald Scotland. “We know we weren’t good enough today. But personally, it’s a proud moment. This is probably right up there with the best things you can achieve as a player. Representing your country at the highest level. I’ve done that now, hopefully there’s a few more [caps].”
Miller was one of the few Scotland players who caught the eye, refusing to hide despite his team’s plight. “Listen, that’s my game, trying to get on the ball. No matter what the score is. No matter what the occasion is, I want to get on the ball and show what I can do,” he said. “You try and build yourself into the game, then when you’ve found your first few passes, you can try and get a bit more adventurous. I had a few nice ones, but also a few that got cut out; that’s just about getting used to the level.”
The Herald Scotland reports that Scotland were slow, pedestrian and ever-predictable in a concerning defeat to the country ranked 74th in the world by FIFA. The team now faces a trip to face eastern European minnows, Liechtenstein, in a friendly on Monday. Miller believes this is the perfect opportunity to get another cap and assert himself in the team. “That’s the plan. You want to get your first cap then you want to get a second as quick as you can. That’ll be the plan, to maybe get a wee start,” he said.
Making his debut alongside Miller on Friday was young goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, who had a nightmarish bow, conceding three goals. However, Miller has no hesitation that Slicker will bounce back. “It’s Cieran’s first cap, a proud moment. Obviously, you don’t want to concede three goals,” he said. “Listen, there’s experienced players in there who will get right behind him and who others like myself who have been with Cieran in a few camps now and who will support him. He’s a good goalkeeper, he’s shown that all week in training. He just needs to get his head up.”
Scotland manager Steve Clarke admitted that Slicker wasn’t ready to play for his country at the senior level and that a new keeper could be drafted in for Monday’s trip to face the Liechtensteiners. The Herald Scotland understands that Clarke’s team are in anything but fine fettle with their campaign beginning in September, with Denmark, Greece, and Belarus standing in the way of the national team’s place in the 48-team World Cup tournament that will take place across the Americas next summer.
As The Herald Scotland reports, Scotland supporters are rightly concerned, with just four wins in 21 matches and back-to-back home defeats across which six goals have been conceded. Miller acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat, saying, “Yeah, it’s disappointing. Listen, we know we weren’t good enough. We knew Iceland were a good side and they showed that. We know we have levels to get up to, but we weren’t at our best, that’s fair to say.”
The Scotland team will look to bounce back from their recent defeats and secure a victory over Liechtenstein on Monday. As Miller said, “What I do at Motherwell is why I’m here.” The Herald Scotland will continue to provide extensive coverage of Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers and friendlies.
Miller also expressed his support for Slicker, saying, “I’ve played with him three or four times. Tonight he has made a few mistakes, but that’s the life of a goalie, you are going to make mistakes and they will be highlighted. He will bounce back. He has a brilliant mentality. All goalies need to, to be honest. Cieran will be fine. He will be back stronger. He’s not gone out there and chucked three goals in. It’s mistakes. These things happen as a player. It just gets noticed more as a goalie.”
Miller’s performances for Motherwell have earned him a call-up to the Scotland team, and he will look to build on his debut and secure a regular place in the team. As The Herald Scotland understands, Miller’s determination and attitude will be crucial in Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Scotland team’s recent performances have raised concerns among supporters, but Miller believes that the team can bounce back. “I’ve had loads of those experiences. As a midfielder, you get away with it a bit more. It’s not as obvious as what Cieran’s is. But he will be fine. He will bounce back,” he said.
Source link
