Sport nationNacho Novo Urges Lennon Miller to Choose Rangers Over Celtic Amid Rising Transfer Speculation
Former Rangers star Nacho Novo has voiced his hope that Motherwell wonderkid Lennon Miller will opt to join the Ibrox side over rivals Celtic if faced with the decision. The Spanish striker, who himself turned down Celtic in favor of Rangers 20 years ago, believes the young midfielder would thrive with the Gers.
Novo, 45, made a similar choice in 2004 when Dundee accepted bids from both sides of the Old Firm, a move he still considers the best decision of his career. During his six years with Rangers, Novo claimed six major honors and played a pivotal role in their journey to the 2008 UEFA Cup final. Now, he’s hoping Miller—who has been catching the eye with standout performances for Motherwell and the Scotland youth teams—follows in his footsteps.
A Rising Talent in Demand
Miller, just 18 years old, has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Scottish football. Scouts from several English Premier League clubs have been monitoring his performances during international duty, while domestic giants Celtic and Rangers are also reportedly keen to secure his signature.
Speaking to gambling.com, Novo expressed his admiration for Miller’s talent and maturity:
“He’s a very talented player, but I don’t know if he [Lennon Miller] will decide to go to Rangers or Celtic. It depends on how much he’s going to play at Celtic and how much he’s going to play at Rangers.”
Novo, who played alongside Miller’s father Lee during his time at Carlisle United, shared his belief that Rangers could offer the youngster more opportunities to develop:
“Maybe he will play more games for Rangers because they need quality and fresh legs. I played with his dad, and he was a good striker. I would love it if Rangers signed him because he’s very good and very mature for his age. He’s only 18 but looks as if he’s an experienced player. He can only get better and better.”
Pressure Mounting at Rangers
Rangers find themselves in a challenging position this season, sitting nine points behind Celtic and Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership table. With the January transfer window looming, manager Philippe Clement is under pressure to turn things around and strengthen his squad for the second half of the campaign.
Novo acknowledged the tough task Clement faces but urged fans to support the Belgian coach:
“I hope Philippe Clement can turn Rangers’ season around. It’s very tough. At the moment he’s the manager, and we need to support him. Hopefully, he’s going to change something. If he leaves, then who are they going to bring? That’s another question. It needs to be the right person.”
Clement’s tenure has seen some progress, with Rangers securing back-to-back wins before the international break. Novo believes this momentum must continue if the club is to salvage their season:
“Sometimes a reset is not a bad thing, and hopefully they come back stronger. It’s still early in the season, and we [Rangers] need to improve a lot of things.”
Striker Challenges and Dessers’ Struggles
Novo also weighed in on the criticism faced by Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers, who has struggled to find consistent form since joining the club. The former Rangers forward offered words of encouragement, emphasizing the importance of confidence for a player in Dessers’ position:
“Dessers is a good player. Ally McCoist used to tell me all the time after I’d missed a chance that you only need to worry [as a striker] when you are not creating any chances. As long as you’re getting in areas and creating chances—even if you miss.”
However, Novo noted that Dessers could benefit from more support on the pitch:
“A lot of football works on confidence. He needs to have a little bit more support and for more people to go forward to help him.”
Miller’s Decision: A Familiar Dilemma
For Lennon Miller, the decision between Rangers and Celtic could define the trajectory of his career. The midfielder’s father, Lee Miller, was also a striker of note and likely plays an influential role in guiding his son’s next steps. Novo’s own experience offers a parallel—his move to Rangers in 2004 was pivotal in shaping a career that saw him achieve significant success in Scottish football.
Reflecting on his own journey, Novo said:
“Choosing Rangers was the best decision of my career. The club gave me everything, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
He hopes Miller will recognize the potential opportunities at Ibrox and follow a similar path:
“Rangers need fresh talent, and Lennon Miller has the quality and maturity to make an impact. I’d love to see him in the blue jersey.”
A Key Decision for Both Player and Club
As January approaches, Rangers and Celtic will both be looking to strengthen their squads. For Rangers, landing a player of Miller’s potential could be crucial in bridging the gap with their rivals and injecting fresh energy into the team. Meanwhile, for Miller, the decision will not only hinge on playing time but also on which club aligns best with his ambitions.
Whether the Motherwell starlet chooses Rangers, Celtic, or a move south to England, one thing is certain: his future in football looks incredibly bright. For now, fans of both Glasgow clubs will be watching closely as the battle for his signature unfolds.
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Amina Umar
