HE had a Scotland initiation song to sing and chose Ed Sheeran’s A-Team because it was safe.
But deep down Lennon Miller knew he wasn’t after telling the world he aimed to be the best player in Steve Clarke’s national team squad within a matter of months.
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Lennon Miller joined up with John McGinn and other Scotland teammates for the first time in MarchCredit: Willie Vass
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He made a bold claim about his ambitionsCredit: Kenny Ramsay
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It led to teasing from John McGinnCredit: Kenny Ramsay
He may have been uncapped but the teenager was unfazed and neither he should have been after earning his call-up for his outstanding performances for Motherwell.
But the 18-year-old still knew his words were never going to be ignored by the likes of wise-cracking John McGinn and the other experience players in the set-up.
He laughed: “There were a few jokes from the lads, yeah. John McGinn, he was right up there.
“I play with his brother Paul at Motherwell, so I expected it and knew what was coming.
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“I did my initiation song and after it they were like ‘Aye, it was alright, but maybe in a few weeks you’ll be the best.’
“I sang Ed Sheeran, A-Team, something a wee bit safe.”
Miller’s comments sounded big-headed to some. But that does the boy a real disservice.
He’s got confidence, sure. But he’s as grounded as they come.
The kid added: “Listen, it’s obviously not come across like I have meant to say it.
“I believe in my ability, I want to be the best young player, I want to be the best player in Scotland.
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“But the few months’ shout was a bit rogue, to say the least.
“Listen, to have the manager’s backing was nice. I tried to show during that week that I could back those comments up.
“You see them every day in the camp, you can take bits from them. I watched McTominay and you see Napoli are probably going to win the Italian league.
“That is where you want to be, that is what you want to do as a football player.
“I know I have a long way to go to become the best. I try to take bits from everyone’s game and hopefully I get there.
“Saying ‘a few months’ is probably ridiculous, to be honest with you.
“The comments were kind of correct, obviously a few words wrong, but it is what I want to be.
“There are positives to it, I just need to do it in my own time.”
Miller should be applauded for having the belief and ambition he’s got, not ridiculed.
What’s wrong with a young player backing himself to be the best of the best? Only in Scotland would that ambition be shot down.
There’s a reason why the teenager is being tipped for the very top and destined for a big money this summer.
The Scotland lads, like McGinn, would have had their fun with him, there’s nothing wrong with that. The wisecracks probably helped break the ice when Miller walked into the Scotland team hotel.
But deep down those guys have that same mentality – even if they don’t all openly talk about it.
The truth is that the Motherwell kid is coping brilliantly with all the speculation surrounding his future.
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He’s attracted interest from some big clubsCredit: Willie Vass
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He’s praised his development under new boss Michael WimmerCredit: SNS Group
He added: “It’s part of football, if you are doing well as a young player then you are going to get speculation.
“I tend to not look at it.
“I just keep my head down and focus on Motherwell and try and get the best results until the end of the season.”
“I try to stay in the moment and not look forward to anything. I am a Motherwell player and I will see where that takes me in the summer.”
Miller – named Motherwell Player of the Year earlier this week – is also in the running for the PFA Young Player of the Year with the glittering awards ceremony on Sunday night.
He added: ”Picking up these nominations is obviously a nice moment for me.
“We have had our ups and downs this season.
“I got an injury and was out for six to eight weeks.
“But then I got the Scotland call-up which was a bonus – and I am starting to get back to myself again.”
Wearing the skipper’s armband at times this season has also been a sign of how highly former Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell rated Miller.
He added: “Stephen O’Donnell went off injured against Dundee United and the manager gave it to me, which I think helped.
“I didn’t really get to think about it because I was focusing on the game.
“I spoke to the manager after it, it was a case of ‘do you want to take it?’
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“It’s no added pressure for me, personally. It looks on the outside seeing an 18-year-old as a captain, but for me it’s just focusing on the game and I had senior players to help. That helped a lot.
“I am not really a shouter before games, I keep myself to myself.
“I let the senior players and the players who want to do it, do that. I try to do my talking with my feet on the pitch.
“I obviously speak, but I am not the loudest and I probably will never be the loudest.
“There are loud ones with more instructions and then there are players who are better on the ball. I just need to lead with the ball.”
Working under German boss Michael Wimmer has also enhanced Miller’s development. He added: “There have been certain tweaks which he has made, which every new manager would make.
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“I was playing further forward under the old manager and now I have dropped back.
“It’s just playing different styles, different positions. I am enjoying learning different things from him.”
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