Rangers starlet Miller picks Australia over Scotland
Rising Rangers midfielder Murray Miller has pledged his international future to the country of his birth, opting for Australia ahead of Scotland.
BY DAVE LEWIS


Born in Sydney but raised in Glasgow, the newly-minted Young Socceroo and lifelong ‘Gers fan speaks with a distinctive Scottish brogue.

But his heart lies with the green and gold.

The Scottish FA were hoping the 18-year-old - who has caught the eye of Light Blues head coach Steven Gerrard - would add to the smattering of caps he’s already won for Scotland at U-16 and U-17 level.

But Miller told The World Game: "Although the family left Australia when I was 18 months old (his Scottish father and Irish mother met there), I still feel a strong connection to the country.

"I’ve got uncles and cousins there - and I want to get more involved with the national team.

"I used to wear Australian strips growing up. When I told people I was born there, people would say ‘no way you’d come back to Scotland if you were born in Australia’!"

A combative and clever midfielder, Miller made three appearances for Trevor Morgan’s Joeys leading into last year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.

He transitioned into Gary van Egmond’s Young Socceroos set up in February, playing in a 4-3 victory over FC Twente in a tour match in the Netherlands.

“I’ve been doing my best to make a good impression and want to get in as many games as I can - I’d love to play for the Socceroos one day,” he added.

Miller has already trained with Rangers’ first team, as well as appearing regularly for the U-21s and U-18s.

He looks at the career path of former Liverpool great Gerrard for inspiration, adding: “The gaffer came up through the Liverpool Academy and broke into the first team.

“I feel like he has a good connection with the academy here and there’s always a good chance.

“You always get a call if he’s been watching games, and you can sometimes see him up there watching from the balcony.

“I’ve spoken to him a wee bit in the times I’ve trained with the first team. I didn’t felt overwhelmed by those sessions, which is a good thing.”

From the moment Gerrard walked through the door at Ibrox two years ago, the club was infused with a new “energy” said Miller.

“You could definitely feel a difference - from the academy to the first team,” he added.

“The first time we walked past him in the corridor and shook his hand it was surreal because you’re so used to just seeing him on the TV.

“I think he’s made a difference and is on the right track to taking the club back to where they were in the past (as Celtic’s main challengers at the top end of Scottish football).”

The Miller clan have followed Rangers for generations, with father Brian once on their books as a youngster.

Miller junior idolises the likes of Andres Iniesta, and plays a possession-based style which, he said, is all about “keeping the ball ticking over, picking up second balls and playing forward”.