What's wrong with wanting to be best?
Nations League play-off, first leg: Greece v ScotlandVenue: Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus Date: Thursday, 20 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMTCoverage: Watch on BBC One Scotland & iPlayer; listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds; live text coverage & in-play clips on the BBC Sport website & app
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says it is wrong to criticise Lennon Miller after the 18-year-old Motherwell midfielder stated he wants to become the best player in the national squad. Miller said last week he was is on achieving that goal in "a couple of months" despite taking part in his first senior camp as Scotland prepare to face Greece in Thursday's first leg of their Nations League play-off, live on the BBC. The teenager's comments have sparked discussion, with Scotland assistant John Carver suggesting Miller might benefit from a "little bit of guidance".Fellow midfielder John McGinn empathised with Miller's youthful confidence but suggested he might come to regret such a bold statement.But Clarke told BBC Scotland: "I think that it's wrong that he's criticised for wanting to improve. He wants to be the best, what's wrong with that?"Hopefully Lennon comes into this camp and sees how difficult it is to be the best and that should drive him on. "I'm amazed there has been two or three days headlines about it because, for me, it is not a headline story. It a young boy who wants to improve. "What's wrong with that? I'm coming up to 62 and I still want to improve."
Dad winds up Miller about 'word vomit'
Miller's father Lee - a former Scotland striker - thinks "respectful and confident" Lennon gave an "excellent" account of himself when speaking to the media.But, speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said his boy was struck by a bout of "word vomit"."I spoke to him when I came home from work and I said, 'I listened to your interview, it was excellent... two months and you're going to be the best player,' and he just laughed and thought, 'Oh I know, I know, I messed up'. "And I said 'No, you've got belief in yourself'. Obviously the words didn't come out right, but that's word vomit."When you're put in front of that camera, when you're asked so many questions, you feel as if you have to say something and he's just blurted that out. "He probably never thought about it at the time, but when I was winding him up about it he just kind of laughed and thought 'Aw naw'."
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There is no point persevering with a system which functioned effectively in the past if it is not working now. Scotland switched to a back four when Clarke made a triple substitution in the second half and looked better for it. Bright Hirst It may take Scotland supporters a little time to get used to a striker called Hirst playing up front for them even if his surname is spelt differently from a certain former England centre forward. But members of the Tartan Army may have to get used to the Ipswich Town man George, who was preferred to Che Adams, James Wilson, Kieron Bowie and Tommy Conway up front, leading the line for them. Clarke is clearly an admirer of the former England age-group player, who qualifies to play for this country through his paternal grandfather, as this was the third game in a row he has fielded him. He came on in both of the Greece games back in March. Read more: But this was a first start for him. He showed why was given the nod despite failing to find the target during his time on the park. He headed a John McGinn chip over, forced a one-handed save from Elias Rafn Olafsson after meeting a Scott McTominay cutback with a first-time shot and had a goal, correctly, chalked off for offside. He received a warm round of applause when he was replaced by Adams. Rightly so. He showed he has much to offer despite the result. To the Max Johnston, who helped Sturm Graz to retain their Bundesliga title in Austria this season, caught Clarke's eye in training at Lesser Hampden this week and started at right wing-back ahead of both Anthony Ralston of Celtic and the returning Nathan Patterson of Everton. He had some good moments and set up the Scotland goal. It was also nice to see Lennon Miller, the teenage Motherwell midfielder, make his first appearance for his country. He came on for Tierney as Scott McKenna replaced Hanley. Patterson later took over from Johnston and Tommy Conway came on for McTominay. But none of the replacements made a significant difference. Tartan Army boo boys The boos and jeers which rang out at the half-time and full-time whistle told a story. The Scotland supporters were furious with the insipid performance they had witnessed. A vast improvement against Liechtenstein in Vaduz on Monday is now needed to get the fans back onside ahead of the World Cup qualifying opener against Denmark.
