Self-confidence is an important commodity in elite sport. The Tartan Army will be glad to hear that new Scotland recruit Lennon Miller is not lacking in that department.
The Motherwell teenager is aiming high following his first Scotland call-up, and his target is to make an immediate impact in the international arena.
At the tender age of 18, the midfielder is looking to soak up every piece of knowledge and experience he can.
At the same time, he has enough belief in his own ability to feel that he can quickly make himself a key member of Steve Clarke’s squad.
In fact, Miller admitted he was more worried about his initiation ceremony than what happens on the pitch when he joins up with his new team-mates ahead of the Nations League play-offs against Greece next week.
‘It’s a proud moment to get in the A squad so young, and I’m just trying to take it in my stride,’ he said.
Lennon Miller wants to soak up all the knowledge he can in his first full Scotland call-up
The Motherwell midfielder is confident in his abllity and aims to become Scotland’s best player
Miller and James Wilson could be asked to sing a song as part of their welcome to the squad
‘I’m confident in my own ability. Obviously there’s loads of unreal midfielders in there. I’m just going to try and learn as much as I can from them, from everybody there, and we’ll see what happens come Thursday.
‘It will be weird. Obviously you watch these players playing in Champions League, Premier League, you watch them on the telly and to be sharing hotels and training pitches with them will be a surreal moment.
‘But I just need to try and take every little thing I can from them, on the pitch, off the pitch, and I’ll hopefully learn as much as I can.’
When asked about his belief in himself, Miller said: ‘Listen, I’m obviously not going to go in and be the best player there, but I believe that I could maybe in a couple of months be the best player there.
‘I think that’s how you need to think as a football player, you need to want to be the best. So that’s what I look to do.’
Miller does not anticipate being the best singer but both he and fellow Scotland newcomer James Wilson, the 18-year-old Hearts striker, expect to be handed the task of performing a song by means of a welcome to Clarke’s senior squad.
‘I’ve heard this,’ said Miller, who described his singing ability as ‘very, very average’.
‘I’m probably more nervous for that than I am about training and playing, which is concerning, but you just need to take it all in your stride.’
When asked what his chosen song will be, Miller said: ‘No idea, I’ll just wing it when I get told I need to.’
Miller will have some familiar faces there in the shape of former Motherwell team-mates Max Johnston and Liam Kelly.
Like Miller, 21-year-old Johnston came through the youth ranks at Fir Park, before moving on to Sturm Graz and playing in the Champions League with the Austrian club.
‘He was quick to message me, just buzzing for me and obviously I’m buzzing for him as well,’ Miller said.
‘Obviously the club’s known for bringing through players and to have two in the A squad is a massive moment for the club and hopefully there’s more to come in the future.’
