Ban halts rejuvenated Millar

RAY HEPBURN

17 Jan 1994

THE Monday morning blues strike most of us at some time in our lives and if you are feeling a touch low today, spare a thought for Hearts midfield player John Millar.

The 27-year-old former Chelsea and Blackburn player has recently ended five months in the Tynecastle reserves and has now started three premier division games this season.

His first game back came after Gary Mackay injured his back at Ibrox on Boxing Day and, after having been promoted from the bench half an hour before kick-off, Millar scored in the 2-2 draw.

Last Wednesday he headed the late equaliser in the 1-1 derby draw with Hibernian and on Saturday his first-half goal against Partick Thistle earned Hearts their first victory in 12 games.

But a build-up of cautions, most of them incurred in reserve matches, has halted his spectacular return and he now faces a four-match suspension.

Millar will now sit out home league games against Kilmarnock and Celtic, a trip to Motherwell, and the Scottish Cup tie against Thistle.

"It's a cruel blow for the lad and, after the way he has been performing, it's a setback for the team as well," reflected manager Sandy Clark.

Earlier in the season, Millar had the opportunity to move from Tynecastle but his determination to try to win back his first team place has paid off handsomely.

Liverpool's chief scout Ron Yeats watched Saturday's game and he would have been disappointed that 18-year-old Gary Locke was able to make only a brief appearance from the substitutes' bench.

Taken from the Herald