From settling in Italy to stepping up for Scotland: Lennon Miller ready to flourish in new Pocognoli era
Midfielder’s Italian progress offers hope as Scots prepare to enter into new chapter under newly-appointed head coach
Lennon Miller’s first season in Italy was always going to be about adjustment. Now, according to his father Lee, the Scotland midfielder is ready to take the next step in his development by starring for his country.
The 19-year-old has spent the past year adapting to a new country, a different football culture and life away from home after leaving Premiership side Motherwell for Serie A outfit Udinese.
Having negotiated the initial period of transition, Miller will now attempt to establish himself for both club and country as he looks to build on the progress made during his debut season.
“He's settled there now and the progression is going well,” Lee Miller said at the launch of the revived Tennent’s Sixes.
“The first season was always going to be a settling-in period, finding his feet, getting used to the language, the lifestyle and different things. He's done that. He had a decent first season and he's looking to really kick on now.”
‘It is an exciting time to be part of the Scotland set-up’
That development could prove particularly significant as Scotland enter into a new era under newly appointed Belgian head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.
Miller was among a small group of young hopefuls who missed on a place in Steve Clarke's World Cup squad earlier this summer, but his father believes that disappointment can be used as motivation as a fresh chapter begins for the national team with the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.
“Yeah, of course, it was hugely disappointing for him at the time but it is an exciting time to be part of the Scotland set-up,” he said. “Not only for Lennon, but all the young lads coming through. They're going to get given an opportunity.
“The door's open. It's a clean slate for everybody. There are experienced guys in there, but the young players coming in will freshen things up. It looks like exciting times ahead for Scotland.”
The change in emphasis was perhaps inevitable after a period in which the same core of players carried Scotland through successive major tournaments. Miller believes a younger generation can inject greater energy into the squad, particularly those gaining regular first-team football at club level.
“Yeah, it probably was,” he said when asked if the time was right for a changing of the guard. “I think there's a lot of players that were in there for a long time. Sometimes it goes stale a little bit.
“The young ones coming through bring a freshness. They've got enthusiasm. They play with no fear. They're obviously playing regularly with their clubs as well respectively. So they're clearly doing something right.”
Former Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco boss Pocognoli has indicated that club form will be central to his selection policy, something Miller believes should provide a clear incentive for the next generation.
“I think the new manager said that if you're performing well for your club, then the door is open to get a call-up,” he declared. “So that's what all these players need to do. Hopefully they can bring that to the national side. I'm looking forward to seeing how Lennon gets on under him.”
“Steve Clarke did a tremendous job with Scotland, getting us to tournaments and being a real force to be reckoned with,” he added. “But it would be good to see what the new manager's got in terms of set-up, formation, and forward-thinking, attacking play. That’s what everybody wants to see as a Scotland fan, exciting football going forward. Hopefully these next four games we can get to see what the new manager is capable of.”
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