Wishaw teen Lennon Miller had an unforgettable Scotland debut last week - when he scored from inside his own half against England.
The midfielder, who turns 15 today, is the son of ex-Scotland international Lee Miller and he did his dad proud with a stunning effort, spotting the goalkeeper off his line as play re-started and lobbing him from inside his own half.
While Scotland under-16s lost the game 3-2 to the Auld Enemy at St George’s Park, it couldn’t dampen the day for the young Motherwell starlet, who plays for the Fir Park side’s under-18s.
The Coltness High School pupil said: “I check before every kick-off to see where the goalie is standing.
"I’ve tried it before and it’s not come off and been shouted at, but he was so far off his line it should be going in
.
“I was surprised at first, but having all my team-mates celebrating with me after it, it was a really good feeling.
“It was 1-1 at the time and it gave us the lead in the game.
“I played on Friday night after it at Motherwell and everybody was really happy for me, they all wanted to see the video.
"We played Celtic in the game on Friday and I was looking to do it again because the goalie was off his line.
“He saw me looking and then ran back – I should never have posted the video!”
When Lennon returned to school last week, he admitted his pals took some convincing that he’d actually managed it.
He added: “Nobody at school believed me because I didn’t have the video at that point, but I was able to prove it eventually.”
It’s a moment the Miller family will talk about for years to come as Lennon bids to follow in his father’s footsteps by making it in the professional ranks.
And ex-Aberdeen striker Lee revealed his son’s moment of glory almost pass him by.
The 38-year-old told Lanarkshire Live Sport: “It was incredible, but the thing is I nearly missed it.
“We were all down at the coffee shack and we heard the referee whistle to get the players back in to kick-off and I jogged up to the top of the hill.
“As soon as I got there, I saw Lennon speaking to his team-mate to tell him to just roll the ball back, because he’s obviously clocked that the goalie was off his line.
“He’s done it before in games in the past, but in a game of that magnitude, on your Scotland debut, to have the audacity to actually try it and execute it is ridiculous. He’s got it in his locker and he’s got that wee cutting edge.
“Lennon has got a great knowledge of the game and he’s been fortunate enough to be around dressing rooms with me, getting to know everything about it, getting involved in training.
“He eats, sleeps and breathes football.”
Asked if he wanted to emulate his father’s success in the game, Lennon said: “It would be great to follow my dad - that’s the plan.”
To make Lennon’s week even better, he is one of three Motherwell players - along with Adam MacDonald and Bailey Rice - to have been called up to the Scotland under-17s squad for a double-header with Wales next month.
And his achievements have also left his school bursting with pride.
PE teacher at Coltness High, Campbell Rae, has tipped him for the top and insists he’s shown more talent at his age than the likes of ex-pupil and Celtic star David Turnbull did.
Campbell said: “Everyone is absolutely delighted for Lennon.
“From all the players we’ve had come through here, he has the potential to be the best we’ve ever seen.
“He stands out more than David did at this age, as well as Lewis McLeod when he was here or, in my opinion, John Fleck or Jamie Murphy, who came through at my previous school in Knightswood Secondary.”
Coltness head teacher, John McGilp, echoed that belief. He said: “He reminds me of David in a number of ways, but in terms of ability he might be slightly ahead of him at this age.
“We’re very proud of him representing Scotland and the goal was worthy of the Tekkers section on Soccer AM. Lennon is a lovely lad, who has a great role model in his dad to follow.”
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