GAGGED..BUT KENNY DOES HIS TALKING ON THE PITCH
demonstrating his coaching potential on the field.
“Kenny prides himself on being a model professional and a guy who lives and breathes Rangers,” a source close to the first-team row told Record Sport.
And although the veteran was not at his most mobile yesterday his commitment was evident.
The former Scotland star showed humility as he hustled against the Bees’ academy players, rarely wandering far from the centre circle.
He linked up the play neatly and covered for Rangers’ advancing wide players.
Aaron Nemane benefited late in the first half, cutting in from the left to put Gers 2-0 up in front of a handful of supporters after Hardie’s early opener.
For the third, scored by Jamie Barjonas, Miller was practically in a left-back role – closer to Murty’s dugout than the action.
As part of the one-year contract he signed in April, Miller has taken on coaching responsibilities and here the transition looked to be in motion. Renowned for his finishing, Miller tellingly laid the ball off to Nemane when through on goal rather than shooting.
The striker’s natural instincts saw him creep gradually closer to goal in the second half as he looked to get in on the act when Rangers went 4-1 up.
Two misplaced shots proved he is off the pace having last scored in the 6-0 League Cup win over Dunfermline on August 9.
As the game petered out, Miller drifted further from the action and into the periphery, perhaps tired from his 6am flight.
And he earned understated applause from the few travelling Gers fans as he was substituted by Murty in 75 minutes.
Caixinha spoke of his “gratitude” towards compatriot Daniel Candeias for celebrating their third goal against Hamilton with him on Friday night.
The Rangers boss is adamant he “will give his life” for the club.
As long as he does Miller’s life at Ibrox looks to be uncertain.
The striker’s loyalty to the club, with more than 100 goals over three spells, can surely not be questioned.
Humbled, but undefeated, Miller could be seen sat alongside Hardie after the pair were withdrawn, seemingly analysing the youngster’s performance.
And he left Hardie to do the post-match talking to avoid another media storm.
Miller was always likely to retreat into a backseat role as his playing days come to an end.
Under Caixinha it appears it will come sooner rather than later.
A silent figurehead is what the Rangers boss prefers in the dressing room but after silencing one of the club’s most prominent players there could be more conflict ahead.