I'LL MAKE IT 3-IN-A-WOE FOR KILLIE

Lee out for goal treble Kilmarnock v Hearts

By Gary Ralston

HEARTS striker Lee Miller once had a 10-second starring role in a Scottish Cup semi-final - now he wants the chance to shine at Hampden.

The 23-year-old has vowed to put himself on the spot tonight at Rugby Park if the fourth-round replay against Kilmarnock goes all the way to penalties.

He's aiming for three goals in a row against Killie after a goal in the first game at Tynecastle, which finished 2-2, and a stunning volley in the Jambos' 3-0 romp in the SPL at the weekend.

The on-loan striker has already sampled the big time atmosphere of the Scottish Cup, albeit as a 14-year-old at Falkirk.

He's also determined to enjoy better success than his forays in the FA Cup with Bristol City, which included a spot-kick miss in their penalty shoot-out defeat to Brentford earlier this season Miller said: 'I took part in a semi-final against Celtic eight years ago but it was a half-time challenge. I had 10 seconds to run from the halfway line and beat the keeper - and missed. It was still a great experience to go out on the Ibrox turf as a schoolboy.

'It would be great to go a stage further this season with Hearts. It's the dream of everyone to play at the National Stadium.

'The keeper saved my spot-kick in the FA Cup this season. It was a poor penalty but if it comes down to it again at Kilmarnock I'll be there to offer my services.'

The hitman, who left Falkirk in a £325,000 deal in July 2003, is out of favour with Brian Tinnie, the new City player-boss.

And Miller, who has scored four in seven appearances for Hearts, would love to turn his loan spell into a permanent move.

He added: 'The manager wants to build his own team and I don't know if I'm going to be part of it.

'Every footballer wants to play games and I'm really enjoying my time in Scottish football again.

'We've been playing some good football recently and creating chances and a striker thrives on that. I've always had belief in my own ability and I know I can do it at this level.

'I learned a lot in England and found the game down there to be equally as fast as it is up here. Scottish football doesn't get the coverage down there so they think it's Mickey Mouse but I've played in the First Division and SPL and the standard here is good.

'I don't mind facing Killie for the third time in a row. I've scored in the last two games and now hopefully I can make it three.

'My confidence is high as I'm scoring but the team is flying. There's a more relaxed atmosphere at the club now the off-the field situation has calmed down.'

Killie kept themselves in the cup 10 days ago with a last minute strike and now aim to clinch a quarter-final tie at home to Livingston.

Miller added: 'They played well in the first game and we were magnificent on Saturday and hopefully we can take that form into the replay.

'However, losing that late goal in the manner we did in the first game was disappointing and we feel we have a point to prove.'

Taken from the Daily Record