What Brendan Rodgers told Lennon Miller as Motherwell star details Celtic boss' Fir Park pep talk

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell and Lennon Miller

Lennon Miller grew up idolising midfield magicians Iniesta and Xavi – but the Motherwell kid insists his trick that made two Celtic players disappear on Sunday was purely instinctive.

The 17-year-old made headlines for his stunning drag back that bamboozled Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley directly before he set-up Blair Spittal for Well’s brilliant opener. Brendan Rodgers made a beeline for the Well ace at full-time in the Hoops’ late victory while ex-Parkhead hero and Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton lavished praise on Miller for his 84-minute display.

But the youngster insists his 26th top team outing wasn’t even his best performance as he looked to make up for the last-gasp disappointment by helping drive Well to three crucial points at Livingston tonight. Asked if his 43rd minute piece of genius was straight off the training ground Miller said: “No, it was just purely instinctive. I got the ball on my left foot so it was a bit like a shock! It was nice to get the assist and the finish was excellent from Blair.

“I like watching your De Bruynes, when I was younger it was Iniesta and Xavis. Possession-based midfielders. It’s what I enjoy, getting on the ball and showing what I can do. I felt like I did ok against Celtic but it was gutting not to get the three points

“Obviously the turn was going to get all the headlines but I feel like I’ve played better this season and I was a wee bit sloppy at times and could have kept the ball a bit better.”

Pushed on the pearls of wisdom from Rodgers, Miller said: “He just said ‘well done’ and ‘good luck for the season’. It’s nice to get recognition from the people who have had such a good career in the game. I don’t really look at social media, it doesn’t really affect me. I just need to show what the manager what I can do each day in training and on a Saturday.”

Miller doesn’t have to look far for inspiration. Dad Lee enjoyed a top career at Aberdeen, Dundee United, Falkirk and Bristol City as a striker. But it’s Fir Park boss Stuart Kettlewell, himself a top flight midfielder not so long ago, who has put his faith in the teenager.

And after penning a new deal through to 2026 at the back end of last year Miller believes he’s in the best place to take his game to the next level. He said: “I’ve been here for nearly 10 years and enjoyed every minute. They’ve given me my chance so I want to show what I can try and do for this football club and do my best for me.

“I’m playing first team football which is what I’ve wanted to do since I was young. The club have been brilliant and the manager has given me my chance. It’s easy to chuck a 17-year-old out the team and play experienced players but he’s showed great faith in me.

“Throughout my youth days I was a sitting midfielder but I can play everywhere and just to play anywhere is what I want to do. I just want to play football and enjoy it. My dad has helped, he’s given me positional work and the manager has obviously helped me massively with that as well.

“After a game dad will speak to me and say what I’ve done well and where I can do a wee bit better. He’s played a big part in my career and even in the house – what to do and what not to do, eating-wise.

“Would he have managed a turn like that against Celtic? No! His best foot is his head! Keep the ball in the air for him!”

Kettlewell confirmed midfielder Harry Paton is out for at least a month with an ankle injury. The Well boss also vowed to do all he can to hold onto teenager Dylan Wells who Record Sport revealed in on Brighton’s radar.

First and foremost he wants three points at Livi tonight and said: “It’s such a hard place to go. But I believe we’ve got the players to go and be really competitive and if we get it right hopefully we can pick up more points.”