The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Veteran says mental strength is key to longevity
Kenny Miller has revealed he believes the secret to his longevity in the game is his mental strength and a dogged determination to not give in to Father Time.
The veteran striker signed a two-year deal with Dundee on Wednesday.
If he sees out that contract, Miller will have moved into his 40th year but he insists that, like his former Rangers team-mate Davie Weir, he can continue to play at the highest level despite his advancing years.
He said: “I know myself, I know my body and I have no doubt I will be playing and contributing for the length of the contract and maybe even beyond.
“I have the mentality, the desire to keep playing and the drive to do it.
“When you get older you understand more the importance of diet, recovery and all those aspects.
“But for me it’s the mental side – I’m not willing to give in to Father Time. I want to keep going for as long as I can.
“Davie Weir did it, he kicked on until he was 41 playing at the top level and played for Scotland when he was 39 or 40.
“You would have to ask him what his secret was, but I’m sure it was the same as me – he just wanted to keep playing. You may get guys who finish at 32 or 33 but that doesn’t mean they haven’t looked after themselves properly.
“A lot of luck is involved and I have been fortunate with injuries.
“Last season a lot of people had me written off with my hamstring but I told the physio to forget the three or four months, I’d be back in eight weeks.
“Sure enough I was ready to play again when the winter break was finished.
“It’s a mindset as much as anything. “I am more than grateful to the club for putting their faith in me for two years at this age, so I want to repay that.”
Miller only became available after leaving his post as Livingston player/ manager earlier this month.
With that experience under his belt the rumour mill has been active, with claims that he has only agreed to join Dundee as he has his eyes on boss Neil McCann’s job further down the line.
However, Miller strongly refuted that suggestion and insists he is simply fully focused on doing as well for his former Rangers team-mate out on the pitch with any thoughts of management “parked” for the foreseeable future.
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I’m not willing to give in to Father Time. I want to keep going for as long as I can
He said: “That is never going to be a factor, it wouldn’t be anywhere I went.
“I am not the kind of person to go into anything with those kind of thoughts.
“I can understand – I know what it’s like. The gaffer is a strong character and he backs himself because he’s a winner.
“He is on the right track – he knows he is. A big part of the reason I came here is we are so like-minded, we are on the same page.
“We want to win, we have a desire to kick on and be better.
“The manager is in the early stages of his managerial career and I am in the latter stages of my playing career.
“But we are of the same mindset. It was easy to come here and play for him.
“Is management parked for two years now? Of course it is.
“That wasn’t something I pursued. It came on my table and something I thought was the next opportunity for me. But still playing was the thing there. Would I stop playing now to take a manager’s role? Probably not.
“There was no way I was going to stop playing to be a manager at that point, so it ticked a lot of boxes.
“I am a player, I am here to do the best I can for Dundee.”