Lennon Miller’s continued exclusion from the Scotland squad has been a head scratcher for those who watch him on a regular basis.
The precocious midfielder is Motherwell’s best player and has been captaining them, aged just 18, in the absence of Paul McGinn and Stephen O’Donnell. He led a team of more senior professionals out at Hampden for a cup semi-final on Sunday.
Miller has also starred, and scored, for Scotland under 21’s and it was thought he wouldn’t be far away from a senior call-up to Steve Clarke’s side.
But the Steelmen star has instead been called up to the under-19s squad for this international break and some national team fans, and particularly Motherwell ones, are incredulous at that.
Clarke says Miller needs ‘time to grow’ before Scotland call-up
Clarke has been in this movie before when he was urged to call up Ben Doak when the exciting young winger was on the fringes of the Liverpool first team.
The national team boss preached patience, and showed it, but now has Doak in the squad as he gets regular minutes on loan at Middlesbrough.
He now looks set to take a similar approach and take his time with Miller despite repeated calls for his inclusion.
Asked about the 18-year-old after announcing his squad, Clarke said: “He’s another young one that everybody wants to hype and push.
“It’s important to let young players grow. Let’s just allow Lennon a little bit of time and space to grow up at Motherwell.”
Scotland and Motherwell fans react to Clarke comments on Miller
Members of the Tartan Army and supporters of Miller’s club are not buying the explanation.
For one, Miller has a good number of top team appearances under his belt and has captained his club as he belies his tender age.
But they have also pointed out he has significantly more experience at first-team level than Doak, who made it in again.
One fan said on social media: “Ben Doak is the same age and has played less than half the amount of senior games as Miller, yet Miller is the one that needs to ”grow”. Make it make sense.”
Another wrote: “The fact Clarke has actually came out & said Miller needs time to develop etc but has Doak in the squad who is a) same age as Miller & b) has played a lot less games than Miller too…Doak should be in the squad, as should Miller. Clarke spouting an absolute pile of nonsense.”
Others used the example of Lamine Yamal, who starred for Spain at the Euros and was fast-tracked into the team after breaking through at Barcelona aged 16.
One supporter said: “FIVE professional appearances for Lamine Yamal to make his Spain debut. FIFTY+ professional appearances for Lennon Miller but he apparently still needs ‘space to grow at Motherwell’. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”
Another wrote: “Why doesn’t he look at other international teams throughout the world they don’t have a problem with blooding youngsters if lamal was Scottish he would probably be playing beside Miller in the 19s!”
Another name brought up in the argument was Connor Barron as quite a few feel Miller should be ahead of the former Aberdeen man in the pecking order.
One wrote: “Lennon Miller should 100% be in here over Connor Barron.”