STEVE Clarke is monitoring the progress of Lennon Miller closely ahead of the World Cup qualifiers next year and will hand the Motherwell midfielder a Scotland call-up in the near future, according to former national team player Stephen O’Donnell.
Miller has been in inspired form for the Fir Park club once again this season and captained them in their Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden earlier this month in the absence of Paul McGinn and O’Donnell.
Clarke, who can field Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay of Napoli and Kenny McLean of Norwich in the middle of the park, overlooked the youngster for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Poland this month despite appeals from the Tartan Army.
He was keen for the 18-year-old to play for the under-19 side and he duly did so in their European Championship qualifiers against Wales at Forthbank last week and France at the Falkirk Stadium last night.
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However, Motherwell defender O’Donnell, who won 26 caps for his country between 2018 and 2022, knows the Scotland manager is always keen to involve youngsters in the senior set-up and believes it is only a matter of time until his team mate is promoted.
“Steve Clarke is keeping an eye on all the young players “ he said. “Scottish football now has Lennon Miller, who has started the season well and was captain of Motherwell at 18, and that is great for the game here.
“But he’s also got Billy Gilmour playing for Napoli and Lewis Ferguson coming back to fitness after an injury at Bologna. There’s a whole host of things that can affect whether you get selected.
“But I know if Steve thinks Lennon’s good enough he’ll bring him in. He did it with Billy Gilmour, he did it with Nathan Paterson. Their first call-ups came before the Euros in 2021. So he definitely isn’t scared if he thinks the player is ready, regardless of age or appearances.
“Everybody’s path is different. But Lennon has broken through at a ridiculous age at Motherwell and Billy had done the same at Chelsea and Nathan was playing for the first team at Rangers.
O’Donnell, who was speaking at a media event to promote the SFA and McDonald’s Grassroot Football Awards, admitted he is unsure how long Motherwell will be able to hold on to Miller, who has been linked with both Celtic and Rangers, for.
But he is hopeful the emergence of another exceptional young Scottish player will inspire kids who aspire to be professionals and show them they can achieve their dream if they apply themselves.
He also feels the success that Miller has enjoyed highlights the importance of having a flourishing grassroots game in this country.
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“I think it’s actually quite appropriate we’re talking about Lennon,” he said. “I definitely don’t think we will be able to keep him long term. But I hope he’s here or beyond January because he’s such an important player for us.
“It kind of shows you, an 18-year-old playing in the first team, what can be done. He grew up in Wishaw playing grassroots football, which is where everything really stems from to be honest.
“Steve Clarke mentioned how important it is last week.There needs to be change maybe, we need to support grassroots more. McDonald’s does it great. We need to make sure that we are funding grassroots football so we can bring through the next generation of players.
“It’s getting harder because kids now want to be on the computer and it’s harder to get them outside. I see it with my own children and I see the price everything costs. It’s expensive for families when lots of things go up in price.
“It’s so important that we continue to try and help the likes of the Scottish FA with the grassroots game and to bring football and sport to kids and help their lifestyle for everyone.”
Motherwell and Scotland defender Stephen O’Donnell was promoting the SFA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards. The awards, which are now in their 20th years, recognise and celebrate the work of grassroots football heroes who support their communities.
