Backwards Advance

Calvin Miller has moved from attack to defence but feels his game is better for it

- MarkHenderson

WHEN Calvin Miller started in Celtic’s recent stalemate with St Johnstone, it was his first involvement for the champions in around six months. But this isn’t an accurate indicator of his progress in Paradise.

The 20-year-old had spent his entire youth career in Paradise operating as a winger or up front until Brendan Rodgers assessed that switching to left-back would enable the player to move forward in his career.

It was a significant positional change for the young Celt but his application and perseverance is bearing fruit, even if this hasn’t translated into frequent first-team appearances.

Although Miller has only been operating at left-back regularly for the past year, he’s already moved up in the pecking order to deputise for one of the brightest young talents in European football in Kieran Tierney, a player whose fantastic fitness levels mean he has played more games than anyone else in world football this season.

It’s been Tierney’s stunning levels of consistency and his excellent conditioning which have proved the biggest barrier to Miller featuring more often for the Bhoys. He did consider heading out on loan in the winter transfer window, though a growing injury list at the club swiftly put paid to that.

And his diligent work behind the scenes meant the Celtic Youth Academy graduate was ready when called upon, acquitting himself extremely well against a stubborn and streetwise St Johnstone side, a performance that earned praise from his manager.

Delighted to have got some minutes under his belt, Miller caught up the View at Lennoxtown and revealed why he was pleased with how his season was panning out.

How pleasing was it to get some match action recently after waiting patiently for a chance?