Bairns nightmare now my dream job
BY ALAN MARSHALL
LEE MILLER endured a nightmare before Christmas when he was told his Falkirk career was over.
But the new Bairns co-boss insists he knew he’d be back one day. Miller and former team-mate David McCracken have been named as the club’s interim management team following the departure of Ray McKinnon.
It is an emotional homecoming for the 36-year-old, who started his career with Falkirk, made his debut under Alex Totten and made more than 150 appearances for them over two spells.
Miller left Falkirk under a cloud in January 2018, having been informed that he was surplus to requirements by Paul Hartley.
The striker said: “The way I left last time left a sour taste in my mouth but things like that happen in football.
“I was told I had no future at the club on Christmas Eve. It’s nearly two years to the day since that happened. But this gives me the chance to write a happier ending at Falkirk.
“Everything happens for a reason. I went to Livingston and ended up getting promoted to the
Premier League. I couldn’t have asked for a better turn of events after the low of how things ended at Falkirk.
“But deep down I thought I’d be back. The fans all know how much this club means to me.”
Miller’s return to Falkirk has seen him leave Livingston by mutual consent and put his playing career on the backburner, although he has not officially hung up his boots.
He could be registered as a player again in January.
Miller added: “Those boys at Livingston are in the history books. I was only there for the journey from the Championship to the Premiership but that’s a club that went all the way from League One to the top-flight.
“From having a good relationship with David Hopkin, David Martindale and Gary Holt, I understand how they did it.
“It’s hard work. Finding the right players for your changing room is massive – and we have a good dressing room here.
“In the short-term we need to win matches. But in the long-term we want to be the ones to get Falkirk back to the Premiership. It’s as simple as that, and you do look at a club like Livi for that.”
Miller and McCracken aim to prove their worth, starting tomorrow in the Scottish Cup against Linlithgow Rose. Miller said: “We are 100 per cent committed. There are no qualms about it – we want this job.
“I’ve been gutted to see what’s happened here. I can’t believe what’s going on.’
“We feel we are the best people to take this club back to where it needs to be and to be successful
“We’ve got at least two or three games to steady the ship. We’re looking to put our stamp on the team and give us every opportunity to get the job permanently.”