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Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Lennon Miller reveals Steve Clarke's Scotland words of encouragement and backs up Cieran Slicker
Two debuts, two very different stories for Scotland's young guns in Friday's Hampden horror show against Iceland. Two Scotland debutants making their international bows off the bench. Unfortunately, only one who will want to store it in the memory bank. What was another proud milestone moment for Lennon Miller and his family sitting up in the South Stand was pure and simply a night to forget for poor Ciaran Slicker. And preferably as quickly as he can. Because the 22-year-old might just find himself launched straight back into Scotland action tomorrow night in Vaduz with Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie both breaking down injured to add to a goalkeeping casualty list that already struck down Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly and Zander Clark. That, of course, might be the best thing for Ipswich's third choice keeper who was thrown onto the international stage - as even Steve Clarke admitted - long before he was ready against Iceland. Fingers were pointed at the 22-year-old for all three goals as the Tartan Army suffered another Friday night fright. Those accusatory digits then turned towards Clarke. Questions were asked why the former Manchester City kid was anywhere near the squad when he has only ever played six games as a senior professional at Ipswich and on loan at Rochdale. Eleven if you throw in five City U21 games in the EFL Trophy. The fact he's played more for Scotland U21s than all three of those clubs tells you everything you need to know about Slicker's inexperience. He has won 17 caps for Scott Gemmill's side in the last four years. And alongside him for the last handful of those was Miller, who himself climbed off the bench later on in Friday's demoralising defeat to the Ice men for his own top team debut. Miller at least brought a little hope of brighter times to come with a tidy 26 minute display in the engine room. But his heart went out to his 21s team mate who was suffering more than anyone in the loneliest place of all between the sticks. Perhaps more than anyone else in the squad Miller knows Slicker. And he insists he WILL bounce back from his Hampden hell. Miller said: 'It's Cieran's first cap, obviously you don't want to concede three goals. '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 showed that all week in training. He just needs to get his head up. 'I've played with him three or four times. On Friday he 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 have, 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. '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.' If Slicker is a senior football rookie then Miller - despite being four years younger - is a relative seasoned pro by comparison. With 76 first team games under his belt for Motherwell over the last three seasons, and a handful of those as captain in the last campaign, the midfielder is the hottest young property in Scottish football. His 67th minute entrance into Friday night's friendly showed exactly why. As others toiled the teenager looked to get on the ball at every opportunity, found good positions and looked hungry - even picking up a booking for stopping an Iceland breakaway. Slicker might have been left wondering where his international future goes from here, but there can be few doubts this was the start of a long and hopefully successful Scotland career for Miller. He said: 'This is probably right up 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. 'It's obviously a very proud moment, not just for me but my family as well. They were in the stand. 'We know we have levels to get up to but we weren't at our best, that's fair to say. 'You want to be winning the game. We know we weren't good enough. But personally it's a proud moment. '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. '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's just about getting used to the level that got cut out. 'The manager has said just to get on the ball and show what I can do. What I do at Motherwell, is why I'm here.' Having done that Miller is now looking to get his first start under his belt against Liechtenstein tomorrow evening. While other, more experienced, players are desperate to look out the flip flops, Miller only wants to pull on his boots. At every opportunity. He said: '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. 'Obviously you want to play no matter when you get called up. Last time was trying to take everything in and take that back to Motherwell to try and win another call-up and get here to make my debut. 'Thankfully I did that.'
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I had to console Cieran Slicker after Scotland debut – I know he has the character to bounce back from Iceland nightmare
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LENNON MILLER put aside his pride at making his Scotland debut to console Cieran Slicker after his Hampden nightmare. Motherwell teenager Miller was thrown on in the 68th minute of Friday night's dismal 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland. 2 Lennon Miller was handed his Scotland bow against Iceland Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Cieran Slicker had a debut to forget a Hampden Credit: PA It marked another milestone in a career as he won his first Scotland cap at 18 after making his Well first-team debut at 16. The midfielder, who is expected to make a big-money move this summer, did well despite the grim scoreline. But for sub keeper Slicker, it was the most traumatic match of his career as the debutant was atrocious at all three goals. Miller, though, has no doubt about his strength of character to respond if he's called on to face Liechtenstein tomorrow. He said: 'It was Cieran's first cap, too, a proud moment, although of course you don't want to concede three goals. 'But there are experienced players in there who will get right behind him, plus others like myself who have been with Cieran in a few camps now and who will support him. 'He's a good goalkeeper, he showed that all week in training. He just needs to get his head up.' Slicker was thrown in after only seven minutes for the crocked Angus Gunn. Yet within less than 50 seconds, the rookie, 22, was picking the ball out of his net following a poor clearance. For a distraught Slicker, who played just nine minutes of first-team football for Ipswich Town last season in an FA Cup tie, it wouldn't get any better. Scotland fans need to STOP booing Steve Clarke and his players says Kris Boyd He failed to block the ball on his line after it ricocheted off Lewis Ferguson as Iceland netted a second before the break. Shell-shocked Slicker had the opportunity to reset at the break. Instead, he allowed a Victor Palsson header that was straight at him to go through his arms and into the net to complete a hat-trick of gaffes. Slicker cut an utterly dejected figure walking off at full-time. But he's still needed by boss Steve Clarke for tomorrow's game in Vaduz after Kilmarnock No 1 Robby McCrorie suffered an injury in Friday's warm-up. Bournemouth rookie Callan McKenna, 18, is the only other fit keeper in the squad, prompting a call-up last night for Celtic-bound Ross Doohan. Miller added: 'I've played with Cieran three or four times for the Under-21s. He's made a few mistakes, but that's just the life of a goalie. You're going to make mistakes that will be highlighted. 'But he will bounce back. He has a brilliant mentality. All goalies need to have that. 'Cieran will be fine. He will be back stronger. How they rated Angus Gunn - Came for a cross in the first minute but crumpled with an ankle problem so was unable to continue. Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1 Max Johnston - Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn't make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6 John Souttar - Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston's wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5 Grant Hanley - Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker's poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4 Kieran Tierney - 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson's runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5 Andy Robertson - Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland's defence out of this rot. 5 John McGinn - Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5 Billy Gilmour - Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5 Lewis Ferguson - Didn't know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5 Scott McTominay - Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5 George Hirst - Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he's got some promise. 6 Subs: Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) - Debut didn't go to plan, that's for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2 Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) - First cap. 3 Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) - Shored it up a bit late on. 3 Che Adams (Hirst 67) - No chances. 3 Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) - Replaced Johnston. 2 Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) - On for McTominay. 2 'He's not gone out there and chucked three goals in. It's just mistakes. 'These things happen. It just gets noticed more as a goalie. 'I've had loads of those experiences myself, but as a midfielder you get away with it because it's not as obvious. 'But Cieran will be fine. He will bounce back.' Miller had his family, including former Scotland striker dad Lee, at Hampden to see him take the field against Iceland. Now Scotland's Young Player of the Year is desperate for a second cap against Liechtenstein and the opportunity to further highlight his potential. Miller has played 76 games for Motherwell since a 2022 debut as a sub in a League Cup tie against Inverness Caley Thistle. He has a year left on his Well contract but is expected to move on for a bargain £4million fee, with clubs across Britain and Europe trailing him. Miller said: 'It's obviously a very proud moment, not just for me but my family as well. They were in the stand. Lennon Miller is now too good for Rangers & Celtic and will move to bigger club says Kris Boyd 'It's never nice to make your debut in those circumstances, you want to be winning the game. 'We know we weren't good enough. But, personally, it's a proud moment. 'My game is about 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. 'I had a few nice touches but also a few while trying to get used to the level that got cut out. 'You want to get your first cap, then you want to get a second as quickly as you can. That'll be the plan, to maybe get a start. 'The manager has said just to get on the ball and show what I can do. What I do at Motherwell is why I'm here. 'You want to play no matter when you get called up. 'Last time was about trying to take everything in and take that back to Motherwell to try and win another call-up and get here to make my debut. Thankfully, I did that.' Miller, with the Steelmen since he was seven and a star for Scotland Under-16s at 14, added: 'This is probably right up 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.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
What Lennon Miller said after making his Scotland debut
"They were in the stands. It's never nice to be making your debut in those circumstances - you want to be winning the game. We know we weren't good enough today. But personally, it's a proud moment. Read more: "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]." Scotland were slow, pedestrian and ever-predictable in a concerning defeat to the country ranked 74th in the world by FIFA. Miller was one of the few, if any, players wearing dark blue who caught the eye. The midfielder refused to hide despite his team's plight and wasn't afraid to get involved. "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. "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. "Obviously, you want to play no matter when you get called up. Last time, I was trying to take everything in and take that back to Motherwell to try and win another call-up and get here to make my debut. Thankfully, I did that." A trip to face eastern European minnows, Liechtenstein, now awaits Steve Clarke's side. A friendly against the 204th-best team in the world is probably the last thing the likes of Scott McTominay and Andy Robertson will want after an abnormally long and arduous campaign. In Miller's eyes, it is the perfect opportunity to get the nod 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. "The manager has said just to get on the ball and show what I can do. What I do at Motherwell is why I'm here." Making his debut alongside Miller on Friday was young goalkeeper Cieran Slicker. The Ipswich Town man wasn't even meant to be number two to Angus Gunn until Robby McCrorie was injured in the warm-up. As is the unpredictable nature of the beautiful game, he was then thrust into action just six minutes into the match after Gunn took a knock to his right leg. It ultimately turned out to be a nightmarish bow for Slicker, who could undoubtedly have done better for all three of Iceland's goals. Clarke later admitted he 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. Miller played with the stopper at the under-21 level and has no hesitation that he will bounce back. "It's Cieran's first cap, a proud moment. Obviously, you don't want to concede three goals. 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. "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. "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." With just four wins in 21 matches and back-to-back home defeats across which six goals have been conceded, Scotland supporters are rightly concerned as mammoth World Cup qualifiers loom. Denmark, Greece, and Belarus stand in the way of the national team's place in the 48-team tournament that will take place across the Americas next summer. Clarke's team are in anything but fine fettle with their campaign beginning in September. While a victory over Liechtenstein will raise the mood, the warning signs have arguably been there for some time. The recent defeat to the Icelanders was Scotland's fifth in nine games since that fateful night in Stuttgart against Hungary almost a year ago. "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."
