Miller takes player-boss role at Livvy
KENNY MILLER will today be unveiled as the new player-manager of Livingston after agreeing to take over at the Tony Macaroni Arena. The 38-year-old former Rangers, Celtic and Scotland striker had been in talks with the club for the past two weeks and has been handed a two-year contract. It’s understood Miller had more lucrative playing offers on the table from clubs including Aberdeen, St Mirren and Hibernian but he was keen to take
his first steps into management. The contractual loose ends were all tied up last night, meaning Miller will lead the Lions into their first Premiership campaign in 12 years. The post became vacant when David Hopkin left the club in May, days after he’d guided them to back-to-back promotions. The West Lothian side secured top-flight status after a play-off final win over Partick Thistle. Former Morton manager Jim Duffy, ex-Ross County boss Jim McIntyre and current Livvy coach John Hartson were all linked with the job but Miller soon emerged as the preferred candidate. Miller’s third spell as a Rangers player ended in controversial fashion in May after no contract was offered amid a dispute following a 4-0 Scottish Cup semifinal defeat to Celtic at Hampden. After the incident, Rangers banned and fined the veteran striker and captain Lee Wallace but the pair have each appealed the decision. Miller’s first meeting with Rangers in his new role will be in West Lothian on September 29, with a trip to Ibrox on November 24. His first competitive match will be away to Airdrieonians in the Betfred Cup on July 14. But he faces a managerial baptism of fire in the league, with his first Premiership match at Celtic Park against Brendan Rodgers’ double Treble winners on August 4. Miller will address the media at Livvy’s ground at 2pm today. Speaking recently, Miller said he still felt in good enough shape to combine managing with playing. ‘It is something that intrigues me,’ he said. ‘Anybody who knows me knows I want to go into management eventually. When I was a teenager, I couldn’t see myself not being a footballer. ‘As a footballer, I can’t see myself not being a manager. But I want to play. You speak to anybody in the game and they say play as long as you can, but the body’s got to be willing. Mine is and I still feel great, feel in good shape.’ Since the departure of Hopkin to pursue new opportunities in England, acting manager David Martindale has been preparing Livingston for the new season. So far, he has signed goalkeeper Liam Kelly, defenders Callum Crane, Ricki Lamie and Steven Saunders and midfielders Craig Sibbald and Cameron Blues. Miller will also link up with Rangers striker Ryan Hardie at the Tony Macaroni Arena after he agreed to return to Livvy on a season-long loan after a short loan spell last season.