The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Mccann made up my mind – Miller
Former Rangers striker joins Dee on two-year deal
Kenny Miller has revealed that Dundee manager Neil Mccann had a “huge impact” on his decision to join the Dark Blues on a two-year contract.
The former Scotland striker penned his deal at Dens yesterday with the 38-year-old a free agent after leaving his position as Livingston playermanager earlier this month.
A whole host of clubs, including ones abroad, were determined to snap up the veteran frontman with St Mirren understood to be leading the chase for his signature. However, the chance to link up with his former Rangers and Scotland team-mate Mccann made Miller decide Dens was the place for him to continue his playing career.
The veteran is almost certain to be handed a start against Motherwell on Saturday as Dundee look for their first league win of the season.
Miller said: “It has been a busy few days getting everything tied off and going through the process of getting a new club.
“That’s taken just a wee bit longer and dragged on but I am absolutely delighted it’s at an end now and I am really looking forward to getting the boots back on.
“Hopefully I will be involved in the game on Saturday. After missing just one game at the weekend, I am really keen and eager to get back into action.
“Obviously I have a long-standing relationship with the manager.
“We go back to my first time with Rangers in 2000 where the manager had been there a year, a year and half before I joined.
“We travelled together and we have always remained – I wouldn’t say close – but we spoke. We also played for a number of years with Scotland.
“He is somebody I really respect and I like the way his team tries to play. So overall, the manager has had a huge impact on the decision to come to Dundee.
“There aren’t many teams who try to play the way Dundee play so I think it will really suit my game. I think I will be able to help the team and make them better so I am really looking forward to getting down to training and the first game.”
Miller said the two-year deal shows great commitment from the club and himself.
He said: “It is something that is pretty rare when you get to my age. It was something that I was really keen to do and I am really grateful that the club were keen to do that as well.
“It is a great opportunity now to kickstart the season.
“I have watched a lot of the games and Dundee have been very unfortunate in the first three league games.
“So hopefully I can bring a wee bit of experience and help the boys get the season kickstarted.
“Some of the football has been fantastic but maybe some of the luck hasn’t been on our side.”
Meanwhile, Craig Wighton’s proposed six-figure move to Dundee’s Premiership rivals Hearts is still to be concluded with the player set to undergo a medical today.
St Mirren manager Alan Stubbs has turned his attentions elsewhere after missing out on Miller.
Stubbs is still aiming to complete some business before tomorrow’s transfer deadline after the striker chose Dens instead of Paisley as his latest destination following his exit from Livingston.
“It wasn’t for the want of trying,” Stubbs said.
“I don’t think it has come down to finances, from what I was told. So we move on.”
Hearts midfielder Ryan Edwards is a possible loan target for Stubbs, who said: “We have been in for a couple of players, one has gone and we are just now waiting to see what we can do in terms of adding some new recruits.
“In order to get players in, we probably need to get a few out.”