The rising star has caught the eye at Fir Park this term and Kettlewell has high hopes for the teenager.
It would be difficult to characterise him as a master of none and a Jack of all trades. At just 17 years old, there’s a much greater chance that Lennon Miller, who had a spectacular breakthrough season at Motherwell, will go on to become one of the most in-demand midfield players of his generation.
However, manager Stewart Kettlewell’s working-class upbringing should assist prepare this very talented young player for the arduous road ahead. Regardless of where it leads him. Miller is already being regarded as an obvious target for both halves of the Old Firm, despite having only played a few games with the first team. And Lennon might wind up with clubs in Italy and abroad that are dipping into Scotland’s skill pool having the entire world at his disposal.
For the duration that he stays at Fir Park, though, Kettlewell has a strategy to reach his full potential. “My dad was a tradesman – a joiner for years – and I was brought up listening to him moan about the young generation,” the manager clarified. Although they could only fit windows or do woodwork or finishing, they would nevertheless refer to themselves as tradespeople.
A man who is well into his 60s claims that they were schooled in a variety of subjects when they were younger because it would increase their chances of earning money. I relate midfielders to that. It’s an illustration of mine. You have a better chance of being able to play if you can complete all the tasks when the manager is choosing the team.
“We discuss changes on the pitch all the time. I firmly think that games should be changed without changing the personnel. Lennon can therefore play as a deep-lying midfielder in addition to his ability to move forward.
It’s OK if some players specialise well in one particular task. However, I try to locate guys who can fill that job in two, three, or four distinct ways. I provide myself as an example; I was obsessed with improving on all fronts.
Could I make more tackles and score more goals? Could I do a better job of box defence? Increase the number of forward runs? It brings us back to the days when midfielders played in a different way. I was accustomed to playing as a middle two in a 4-4-2 formation most of the time.
“One went, and the other sat down.” It was the players’ ability to balance each other out so they could do both. You accept responsibility for the events surrounding you.
It’s something I think Lennon can accomplish as well as something I believe in. He is a goal scorer; it was fantastic to see him score a few early in the season.
We frequently use him as a deep-lying midfielder, which prevents him from scoring goals, but he has made a lot of excellent long-range saves and attempts. Callum Slattery, Blair Spittal, and Harry Paton. Andy Halliday: We especially ask them to do this during games since they are all all-round players.
In order to expedite Miller’s advancement, Kettlewell will also adhere to his own convictions. “Young players need the opportunity to play,” he continued. You must have faith in them.”Let’s improve Scottish football, I believe in youth,” is a common phrase heard. Every week when you hear it, I say to myself, “Well, let’s see the proof!”
Boys must be given opportunity. There are some guys with real talent and ability that you can see will go far in their careers, but that only happens because the manager or coaching staff want to give them chances.
“You must have the ability to understand that they won’t always do things right. However, experienced players can also achieve that.
“So, is your goal for your football team to develop and earn some money, or are you aiming to develop a player that will play 200–300 games and become a legend, or are you just looking for a temporary solution?
“I’ve always thought about the long run. Billy Stark and Kenny Brannigan provided me with my opportunity at Queen’s Park. These men had the conviction that young players should be given opportunity.
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