My boys are going into a cauldron but I hope they are able to handle the heat

SAYS KENNY MILLER

KENNY MILLER will draw on his vast experience of starring at Celtic Park to ensure his Livingston players know what to expect at the home of the champions today. But the player-manager admits he has no idea how his young Lions will handle the Parkhead cauldron. Livvy cross swords with Brendan Rodgers’ double Treble winners in their own backyard following a top-flight absence of 12 years. With the exception of a few wily campaigners like Lee Miller and Keaghan Jacobs, few players will know what they are in for. Former Rangers striker Miller, facing his maiden league game as a manager, is aware of the challenge his underdogs face, but hopes they can frustrate the Glasgow giants before showing their own quality. ‘I’ve tried to let the players know exactly what to expect there,’ said Miller. ‘It can be a daunting environment to play in for those who haven’t experienced it before. ‘I’ve looked to pass on a wee bit of guidance about that, but everybody is different and reacts to it differently. I wouldn’t say it is a case of sink or swim, but you do have to hope you have enough players who react positively to the environment. ‘We’ll do that by easing ourselves into the game and trying to frustrate Celtic as much as possible. ‘If we can do that, find our feet, then the adrenaline will kick in and we can look to put things into practice that we’ve worked on during the week. ‘I know a lot about the team we are facing. So we’ve put a lot of detail into our sessions and the players understand, as well as they can, what they are going to be facing in terms of the multiple threats that Celtic pose. ‘It will be electric — the first weekend of the season — and a great reward for all the hard work our boys have put in during the last couple of years. ‘There are teams that have gone there before and given a good account of themselves, so there is no reason we can’t do the same, with Celtic coming off the back of a tough game against Rosenborg and facing another huge game on Wednesday (against AEK Athens).’ As well as his managerial duties, 38-year-old Miller will lead the line and is assured of a customary barracking in the East End. Although he wore the Hoops with aplomb during the 2006-07 season, his two spells either side of that with Rangers ensure he will be public enemy No 1 at Celtic Park. That is a burden he is more than content to shoulder, particularly if it takes some of the attention away from his players. ‘I fully expect my usual welcome at Celtic Park,’ he smiled. ‘It might be a little less hostile considering I’m not going there in the colours of their arch-rivals, but I’m sure it will be another colourful one. ‘Any ex-Rangers players going back there gets some treatment. ‘It would be great if that takes a little bit of the heat off the rest of the players. ‘You want them to concentrate on their game — be disciplined and focused for 95 minutes — so if that helps, then good.’ Should Celtic, as most expect, prove too strong for Livingston, Miller insists it will have no bearing on their battle to consolidate in the top flight. Nevertheless, he does want to see his team put down a marker. ‘We won’t be judged on whether we can beat Celtic at Parkhead or not,’ he said. ‘We will be judged on the performance and the togetherness of the group, but I’ve no real worries in that respect. ‘Although this is as tough as first fixtures come, the lads will be left in no uncertain terms about what they will face this season and the levels they need to reach to have a good chance of success. ‘They will realise how big the step up is. We will have a really good idea where we stand at 5pm.’