LENNON MILLER put aside his pride at making his Scotland debut to console Cieran Slicker after his Hampden nightmare.
Motherwell teenager Miller was thrown on in the 68th minute of Friday night’s dismal 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland.
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It marked another milestone in a career as he won his first Scotland cap at 18 after making his Well first-team debut at 16.
The midfielder, who is expected to make a big-money move this summer, did well despite the grim scoreline.
But for sub keeper Slicker, it was the most traumatic match of his career as the debutant was atrocious at all three goals.
Miller, though, has no doubt about his strength of character to respond if he’s called on to face Liechtenstein tomorrow.
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He said: “It was Cieran’s first cap, too, a proud moment, although of course you don’t want to concede three goals.
“But there are experienced players in there who will get right behind him, plus others like myself who have been with Cieran in a few camps now and who will support him.
“He’s a good goalkeeper, he showed that all week in training. He just needs to get his head up.”
Slicker was thrown in after only seven minutes for the crocked Angus Gunn.
Yet within less than 50 seconds, the rookie, 22, was picking the ball out of his net following a poor clearance.
For a distraught Slicker, who played just nine minutes of first-team football for Ipswich Town last season in an FA Cup tie, it wouldn’t get any better.
He failed to block the ball on his line after it ricocheted off Lewis Ferguson as Iceland netted a second before the break.
Shell-shocked Slicker had the opportunity to reset at the break.
Instead, he allowed a Victor Palsson header that was straight at him to go through his arms and into the net to complete a hat-trick of gaffes.
Slicker cut an utterly dejected figure walking off at full-time.
But he’s still needed by boss Steve Clarke for tomorrow’s game in Vaduz after Kilmarnock No 1 Robby McCrorie suffered an injury in Friday’s warm-up.
Bournemouth rookie Callan McKenna, 18, is the only other fit keeper in the squad, prompting a call-up last night for Celtic-bound Ross Doohan.
Miller added: “I’ve played with Cieran three or four times for the Under-21s. He’s made a few mistakes, but that’s just the life of a goalie. You’re going to make mistakes that will be highlighted.
“But he will bounce back. He has a brilliant mentality. All goalies need to have that.
“Cieran will be fine. He will be back stronger.
How they rated
Angus Gunn – Came for a cross in the first minute but crumpled with an ankle problem so was unable to continue. Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1
Max Johnston – Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn’t make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6
John Souttar – Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston’s wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5
Grant Hanley – Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker’s poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4
Kieran Tierney – 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson’s runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5
Andy Robertson – Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland’s defence out of this rot. 5
John McGinn – Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5
Billy Gilmour – Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5
Lewis Ferguson – Didn’t know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5
Scott McTominay – Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5
George Hirst – Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he’s got some promise. 6
Subs:
Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) – Debut didn’t go to plan, that’s for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2
Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) – First cap. 3
Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) – Shored it up a bit late on. 3
Che Adams (Hirst 67) – No chances. 3
Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) – Replaced Johnston. 2
Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) – On for McTominay. 2
“He’s not gone out there and chucked three goals in. It’s just mistakes.
“These things happen. It just gets noticed more as a goalie.
“I’ve had loads of those experiences myself, but as a midfielder you get away with it because it’s not as obvious.
“But Cieran will be fine. He will bounce back.”
Miller had his family, including former Scotland striker dad Lee, at Hampden to see him take the field against Iceland.
Now Scotland’s Young Player of the Year is desperate for a second cap against Liechtenstein and the opportunity to further highlight his potential.
Miller has played 76 games for Motherwell since a 2022 debut as a sub in a League Cup tie against Inverness Caley Thistle.
He has a year left on his Well contract but is expected to move on for a bargain £4million fee, with clubs across Britain and Europe trailing him.
Miller said: “It’s obviously a very proud moment, not just for me but my family as well. They were in the stand.
“It’s never nice to make your debut in those circumstances, you want to be winning the game.
“We know we weren’t good enough. But, personally, it’s a proud moment.
“My game is about trying to get on the ball. No matter what the score is, no matter what the occasion is, I want to get on the ball and show what I can do.
“I had a few nice touches but also a few while trying to get used to the level that got cut out.
“You want to get your first cap, then you want to get a second as quickly as you can. That’ll be the plan, to maybe get a start.
“The manager has said just to get on the ball and show what I can do. What I do at Motherwell is why I’m here.
“You want to play no matter when you get called up.
“Last time was about trying to take everything in and take that back to Motherwell to try and win another call-up and get here to make my debut. Thankfully, I did that.”
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Miller, with the Steelmen since he was seven and a star for Scotland Under-16s at 14, added: “This is probably right up with the best things you can achieve as a player, representing your country at the highest level.
“I’ve done that now. Hopefully there’s a few more.”
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