LENNON MILLER has been labelled one for the future coming through the ranks at Motherwell and Scotland.
But a stunning turn and assist against Celtic and then match winning performance against Rangers earmarked him for the here and now.
3
3
3
The youngster’s performances have thrust him into the spotlight as he has starred for Stuart Kettlewell’s side.
Only last month pundits were urging Rangers and Celtic to both makes moves for the rising star who has progressed through the Steelmen ranks to the top level.
And all at the meek age of just 17.
Miller’s calm displays and his stature belie his teenage years and he is backed up by ex-pro dad Lee, formerly of Falkirk, Aberdeen and Hearts.
Read More Football stories
But though he is fast becoming an established first-team player, Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has his own way of keeping him on the ground – he still doesn’t get in the first-team dressing room during the week.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer Kettlewell explained: “We still have him in the young boys’ dressing room.
“I have a first team boy come to my door almost every week and say ‘is it not time to get him into the first team dressing room’ but no – I think he still needs to be a 17-year-old as well.
“His life isn’t of a 17-year-old just now in terms of the games and what he’s doing on the football pitch.
“It’s really important for me he’s still grounded but also for him to be that leading light for the under-18s dressing room for guys that are his age.
“He will go in with the first-team and he’ll have a real place there as well, but I feel its the right thing just now that he’s amongst his peers of age and he’s the leader and role model in that dressing room just now.
“He’s so comfortable when he comes into the first-team dressing room and environment anyway.”
Kettlewell has been impressed with Miller the man as well as Miller the player and knew he had something special when he spotted what he did OFF the park, as well as on it.
And while the big talent is still treated with kid gloves behind the scenes at Fir Park they’re hopeful of warning off those paying closer attention to his displays with another year left on his contract.
Kettlewell added: “In terms of young players I’ve worked with he’s the best of those I have worked with.
“There are so many layers – one, he’s really good player and two, he’s an even better human being. He’s a brilliant lad.
“He’s so composed and level-headed and nothing I’ll say will get him carried away.
“He just wants to be a good football player and play in our team every week – simple traits for me that are so important.
“I watched him in a reserve game last year and other young players not playing at a level he is walked off the pitch and he was like a Scarborough donkey carrying all the kit, the different jerseys and taking everything off the pitch.
“That’s the difference for me – those little nuggets of how you approach the game and not feeling like you’re too good to pick up kit and equipment.”
Asked if he could keep his star man for a further year – with Rangers and Celtic both urged to look at the rising star by pundits in the past month, Kettlewell simply said: “Yeah.
“It would take something significant to change things the way they are now.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Motherwell face managerless Aberdeen this week after sitting out the Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page