Lewis Miller insists he’s up for the fight after joining the Lee Johnson revolution at Hibs.
The Australian defender will complete his move to Easter Road from Macarthur FC once his involvement with the Socceroos’ U23s at this summer’s Asian Cup ends in the next week.
And he is relishing going up against compatriots Kye Rowles, Nathaniel Atkinson and Cammy Devlin when the first Edinburgh derby comes round.
Miller spent the last four seasons as a team mate of Rowles at Central Coast Mariners and was named in last year’s A-League team of the year before signing a pre-contract with rivals Macarthur.
But after Hibs agreed a five-figure fee with the A-League club the right back’s destination switched from Macarthur to the shadow of Arthur’s Seat in Leith.
The 6ft 2in full-back insists he’s relishing the physicality of the Scottish Premiership and especially the derby atmosphere when he’ll go up against his fellow Aussies.
And after penning a three-year deal with the option of a fourth, Miller is confident his game can hit the next level under the guidance of Johnson and his coaching staff.
The 21-year-old said: “I had a pretty good season this year. I was happy with my performance and gave 110 per cent.
“Obviously when you’re playing well you get interest overseas. Once Hibs found out that I was available, luckily enough they kept in contact and the move got completed.
“We’ve got three boys in Scotland at Hearts, which is insane, and I think it’s good for Australian football to see young players go across to that league and see them get better and better.
“It’s going to be very physical, very aggressive and that’s the way I like to play.
"I think under these new coaches and these new resources my game is only going to get better and better, so I’m very excited.”
Miller and his Australia U23 team mates take on Turkmenistan in the quarter final of the Asian U23 Cup this morning.
He’s one of four past and present Mariners in the squad looking to go all the way.
And for that he paid tribute to Mariners coach Nick Montgomery - a former Scotland B international - who made him a regular in the Coasties’ starting XI.
He told Socceroos.com: "In the past years, we haven't had this many Mariners young boys selected for the national team.
“So I think what Monty (Head Coach Nick Montgomery) has done for the club, bringing up some potential young footballers shows that this club is on the up, and I appreciate everything they have done for me and the footballers of Australia."
Miller is Johnson’s fifth signing of the summer following on from David Marshall, Nohan Kenneh, Momodou Bojang and Rocky Bushiri.
