Lennon Miller looks to have played his final match at Fir Park for Motherwell after receiving a standing ovation in midweek, with manager Michael Wimmer admitting the 18-year-old’s departure appears imminent. The teenage midfielder, long linked with a move to Celtic, has been a standout for the Steelmen, but speculation is growing that a summer move could be on the cards.
Despite reported interest from Celtic, the Heralds’ senior sports writer Graeme McGarry has advised Miller against a move to the Hoops, raising concerns over the challenges young Scottish players face in breaking through at the club.
McGarry points to the career of David Turnbull, another former Motherwell player, who initially impressed at Celtic before seeing his development stall. While calling Turnbull “a success in a Celtic jersey” due to his transfer fee, McGarry warned that “his stagnation and failure to so far reach the level we all thought possible… can arguably be traced back to his troubles towards the end of his Celtic career.”
The broader issue, he argues, is opportunity. Despite Celtic clinching the title early and rotating the squad ahead of the Scottish Cup final, academy graduate Sean McArdle was only handed his debut in the 85th minute against Hibs and saw limited minutes again against Aberdeen.
With Miller’s progress at Motherwell highlighted by regular starts and the trust of Brendan Rodgers, a move to Celtic could present a serious risk of stalling his development. The presence of Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan, and likely additions in midfield, would add to the competition for places, even with Reo Hatate potentially departing in the summer.
Miller has played with real maturity in midfield, but McGarry thinks it’s not the right time for him to risk being left on the sidelines.“He can’t afford to be sitting kicking his heels on a substitute’s bench,” McGarry stated, noting that consistent game time has been crucial to the player’s rise.
There are good reasons why a move to Celtic could work well for Miller. Brendan Rodgers has a strong record of helping improve young players He gave chances to youngsters during his first spell at Celtic and has done the same at other clubs. If Miller shows the right attitude and keeps working hard, Rodgers could help take his game to the next level.
Celtic also have a solid group of Scottish players who know what it takes to succeed at the club. Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor have all played big roles in recent years. Being around experienced players like them could help Miller settle quickly and learn what it means to play for Celtic. If he fits in well and earns Rodgers’ trust, there’s every chance he could grow into an important player for the Hoops.
Joining Celtic would be a big move and bring more money, but it’s still unclear if it would help Miller grow as a player. For now, people are waiting to see where he decides to go next.
