Lee certain it will soon be Miller time at Boro

Last updated : 14 April 2010 By Northern Echo

By STEPH CLARK

SINCE his deadline day move Middlesbrough in January, Lee Miller has made just five appearances but the striker is eager to show why he remains in Gordon Strachan's plans.

Miller signed from Aberdeen for £500,000 after two impressive seasons with the Dons, as Strachan looked to strengthen his squad ahead of Boro's promotion push.

The 26-year-old has found his first team opportunities limited with five experienced players battling to start up front for Strachan, but the striker insists he will keep his head down and work hard to win his place.

Miller said: "Of course I want to be playing more games and, hopefully, next season there'll be a clean slate but until then, I'll continue to work hard to get into the manager's plans.

"Obviously the fans have yet to see me at my best and if I can get more games under my belt then hopefully I will be able to show the fans, manager and everybody what I can do."

Despite not being a regular starter since joining, the Lanarkshire-born forward admits Boro's season has been disappointing but claims the team still believe they can make the play-offs.

Miller said: "It's been disappointing because with the players and the squad we've got we should be up in the play-offs at least, but it's still there for us and it's going to be an interesting run in and the squad still believe we can do it."

A tricky visit to the Hawthorns to face West Brom is next up for Boro on Saturday, but the players aren't banking on an easy game despite confirmation on Saturday that the Baggies are already promoted.

"Obviously we've got some massive games coming up starting on Saturday but we're only four points away from the play-off places so I don't see why we can't do it," the former Dundee and Hearts striker said.

"We will have to see what teams around us do, but if we win all our games we'll definitely be in there with a shout and that's what we're aiming to do."

Although Miller has only been on Teesside for a few months, he can already see the increase in intensity of the Championship compared to north of the border and claims Boro are a club equipped for Premier League football.

He said: "The Scottish leagues are hard but down here it's a massive league and games come thick and fast both midweek and on Saturdays.

"It's a very hard league to get out of with a massive bonus of getting into the Premier League and hopefully we can do that.

"We've got everything in place to be a Premier League club and I just hope I can be a part of that and we can get up."

Source: Northern Echo

Source: Northern Echo