Miller: Time will be well spent, Craig

FORMER Hearts star Colin Miller today insisted that the Jambos’ pre-season tour to Canada will provide Craig Levein’s players with the ideal preparation for the kick-off to the new SPL campaign.

The Gorgie outfit are currently settling in to their training base at Burnaby on the outskirts of Vancouver, the squad having arrived here on Friday evening to take part in the International Pacific Soccer Series Tournament.

Dennis Wise’s FA Cup finalists Millwall and a Canada B side are competing, while Hearts are also due to face a Pacific Coast League All Stars Select as they step up their fitness levels ahead of the forthcoming season.

While Levein would like to see his men win every game this week - they begin tonight against Frank Yallop’s second-string Canadian outfit comprising north American-based players - the Tynecastle boss is the first to admit results will be of secondary importance. Pre-season games are all about helping the players attain the necessary work-outs to see them in prime condition when the serious business of amassing league points gets under way on Saturday, August 7 against Dundee at Dens Park.

Delighted to see his former club make the long trek to British Columbia, Miller is convinced the matches which Hearts have lined up will prove the ideal precursor to the domestic challenge which lies ahead.

"It is a long trip for Hearts to undertake but the important thing from their point of view is that the games prove worthwhile exercises," said Miller, who is currently proving a huge success as the first full-time head coach of the Abbotsford Soccer Association which is based just an hour’s drive east of Vancouver.

"These days most players report back from their holidays for pre-season training relatively fit and it is a question of building up their stamina and getting match fitness.

"This is a lovely part of the world and I am sure there will be a relaxed atmosphere in the squad this week.

"Frank Yallop will have a good side together for Hearts’ first game and with Millwall here as well, these promise to be good matches.

"The pitches will be a nice surface but the guys may not be used to the length of grass here. The tendency is to let it grow longer in the summer in case it is cut too short and then burns due to the warm weather.

"Hopefully the trip will provide the sort of preparation Craig is looking for before heading back to Scotland. It is a long way for them to come but it’s great to see them in Canada and I am convinced the trip will be worth it."

Former Dunfermline and Rangers defender Miller, capped 61 times for Canada, took over the Abbotsford post in February 2000 following his resignation as Hamilton Accies manager.

Although a huge participation sport in Canada, football still lags behind the likes of ice hockey, baseball and basketball in popularity.

With responsibility for some 3000 players from youth level upwards - and the coaching staff as well as Abbotsford’s highly-regarded School of Excellence - Miller is keen to see that trend reversed.

And he believes that Hearts could not be visiting at a better time, Levein and his men arriving less than a week after Greece were crowned Euro 2004 champions in Portugal, the football extravaganza having been given great exposure in North America.

"We had Manchester United and Celtic over in Seattle last summer and now with Hearts and Millwall in Vancouver hopefully there will be a lot of interest in the games," he said.

"Euro 2004 was shown over here and people who don’t normally talk about football were discussing it which was good and it will still be fresh in their minds this week with Hearts here.

"I’m not sure what sort of crowds are expected but I’d say around the four to five thousand mark would be a good turn-out.

"There are a lot of Scots over here and they will want to see Hearts in action while the Millwall game gives the Scotland-England thing, which is interesting."

Despite proving a huge hit at Abbotsford, Miller cannot disguise the fact he is keen to return to club management sooner rather than later.

Having taken charge of the Canada national team on an interim basis last year prior to the appointment of Yallop as Holger Osieck’s successor, Miller was in the frame for the St Johnstone hot seat after the departure of Billy Stark, the ex-Saint having had discussions with the Perth club before John Connolly assumed control.

"I knew the Canada job was going to be a short-term appointment and I really do miss being in management," he said. "It certainly whetted my appetite for the hands-on job which a manager does and I do miss working with senior players in such a scenario.

"I love the job at Abbotsford but who knows what may happen in the future?"

Coaching duties in Newfoundland will prevent the former Jambo catching up with ex-team-mate Levein during Hearts’ stay - but he’s hoping their paths will cross again at some stage next season.

He said: "I took a team of youngsters to England last season and the plan is to go back to the UK next year again.

"Maybe this time we will head to Scotland and possibly catch up with everyone at Hearts.

"I have heard their new academy is fantastic it certainly means no more trailing around Edinburgh looking for training facilities like we did when I was there.

"I’ll maybe try to get in touch with Craig to talk about that nearer the time but for now it’s just great Hearts have come to Vancouver and hopefully the games will provide benefit to the youngsters coming through in this country.

"There is a lot of talent in Canada and it’s important we keep that going."

The Jambos will try to shake off the effects of jet lag this evening when they face Canada B at Swangard Stadium, home of A League outfit Vancouver Whitecaps.

They then face the league select at Royal Athletic Park, Victoria, before bringing the curtain down on the tour with the showpiece clash against Millwall back in Burnaby on Saturday afternoon.

Taken from the Scotsman