Lewis Miller was on cloud nine on Thursday as he netted his debut Australia goal to help his country to a fine win over China.
And the Hibs full-back admits he couldn’t contain the sheer emotion that burst from him after he equalised for the Socceroos just before half-time.
Making just his sixth cap since his international debut in 2023, Miller started at right-wing back in the 2026 World Cup qualifier.
His header got the Aussies back on track in the match after going behind in the 20th minute. Goals from Craig Goodwin and Nishan Velupillay then secured a much-needed 3-1 triumph.
Hibs full-back Miller ‘absolutely buzzing’
In front of 47,000 fans at the Adelaide Oval, 24-year-old Hibee Miller was ecstatic to net his first goal for Australia.
As quoted in the Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “You can see from my facial expressions on the pitch that I just let my emotions take over.
“I was absolutely buzzing to get my first international goal – hopefully the first of many.”
Miller talks position tweak with Australia
Miller is a traditional right-back for Hibs playing week in week out in the Scottish Premiership under manager David Gray.
Chris Cadden plays ahead of him on the right side of midfield at Easter Road but Miller explained that he is more of a wing-back with Australia.
Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has changed the national team’s system and while Miller admits he’s still settling into the new role, Australia are going to be better for it as time goes on.
Miller said: “I’m in a different role now, playing as wing-back, getting up and down the pitch, which gives me a lot of time and space, a bit of freedom. I’m going to adjust to that position and, as the boys adjust to this system, we’re going to get better and better.
“Obviously my goal late in the first half set the momentum for the second half. Then we just put the foot on the pedal and took over in the second half.
“The message at half-time was positive. We’d been very good on the ball, dominating possession. We knew they were going to crack eventually.
“There’s been a bit of familiarisation with the new philosophy. But I think all the boys are very excited about the next chapter. This team is going to get better and better.”