New recruit shrugs off 'failure' tag after return north

KENNETH STEPHEN

NEW Hearts recruit Lee Miller last night dismissed the inevitable "failure" label after joining an ever-growing band of Scots beating a retreat home from England.

The 21-year-old has joined John Robertson’s outfit on loan from Bristol City until the end of the campaign, having fallen out of the picture at Ashton Gate following the appointment of new manager Brian Tinnion.

Miller’s return comes hot on the heels of the decision by Stevie Crawford and Lee Mair of today’s opponents Dundee United to return home after troubled spells across the border. Lee Makel has done likewise, while Barry Ferguson could soon follow suit.

Miller, who was lured south from Falkirk for £300,000 in 2003 with great expectations, acknowledges some may regard him as another wannabe who has failed to cut it in the bigger pond. However, he does not agree and is just looking forward to showing the Hearts fans he has not lost the ability which made him one of the hottest prospects in Scotland.

"I think some people might think that, because I have come back, I have not made it," said the former Falkirk player, whose last first-team appearance was against Brentford in the FA Cup on 25 November.

"But I don’t view myself as having failed, not at all. A new manager takes over and he either fancies you or he doesn’t. I think Hearts is a step up coming from Bristol. I am delighted John Robertson came in for me and he has put faith in me. Hopefully I can deliver the goods."

With Hearts lacking firepower, Mark de Vries having gone in the other direction, Robertson could pitch Miller straight into the action today.

Should he prove to be the success Robertson thinks he can be, the player would not rule out making his stay in Edinburgh permanent. "If everything was sorted out and everyone was happy, then I would be delighted to stay but we will see how things go," added Miller. "I just want to get back to playing and scoring goals."

Hearts will be without injured duo Michael Stewart and Patrick Kisnorbo today. Robertson, meanwhile, ruled out any immediate move for Momo Sylla at Celtic. "There is nothing in it and we have not made inquiries to Celtic. If I am quoted directly on a player, you know I am interested," he said.

Taken from the Scotsman