2 days ago
‘I was trying to support him' – John Carver reveals Lee Miller's reaction to his comments about son Lennon's ‘mistake'
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JOHN CARVER could have feared the worst as footballer-turned-hairdresser Lee Miller brandished his scissors.
After all, the former Scotland No 2 had hit the headlines for rinsing his son Lennon over bold comments about becoming the national team's best player.
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Lennon Miller and John Carver in Scotland training
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Lennon Miller with dad Lee and his step mum
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Carver helped launch the Chase Football Coaching Programme in National Employability Week
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Carver during the launch
But Steve Clarke's ex-assistant revealed that Miller was the perfect pro, reassuring Carver he knew exactly what he really meant — and not even doing a butcher job on his barnet!
The Motherwell kid's claims came when he was called up for the Nations League play-offs against Greece.
The coach branded them a 'mistake', and said he had to 'learn from them', fearing his confidence could be wrongly taken for cockiness.
It could have been a bone of contention for former Scotland striker Miller, but Carver, launching the Chase Football Coaching Programme in National Employability Week, told SunSport: 'I had a good chat with Lennon's dad — he was a very good player and he's a great guy too.
'A few months back I came under fire for saying a few things about Lennon, but I was trying to support him.
'In doing so I made an example of myself. You have to be careful what you say and how you say it.
'At Newcastle, I was slaughtered one time for appearing to say I was the best manager in the Premier League.
'But what I was actually trying to state was that to operate at the highest level you have to have the mentality of believing you're up with the best.
'When you're going head-to-head on the touchline with guys like Jose Mourinho you can't doubt yourself. It's all about self-belief.
'In my early days in the youth team at Newcastle, I remember Paul Gascoigne had so much confidence.
Steve Clarke likes Lennon Miller's stated ambition to become one of Scotland's top players
'He hadn't yet kicked a ball in anger but his confidence helped him. He was a maverick, he was something special.
'I'm not saying Lennon's going to be the next Paul Gascoigne, but back then Gazza had that confidence about himself.
'You have to believe in yourself. You want players to have confidence and I'm delighted he's got that faith in his ability.
'Lennon's a great kid, a credit to himself and his family. I just felt he needed a bit of guidance.
'His dad understood where I was coming from, what I was meaning.
'It was about support from me, not criticism. Lennon's got that drive, he's ambitious, and he should not be criticised for that.
'Lee was perfectly fine with me. He knows the game, he's a sensible guy — and he even sorted out my fringe!'
As Well teenager Miller's future is debated over a summer transfer window that seems certain to see him move on from Fir Park for a hefty seven-figure sum, Carver is concerned the midfielder makes the right decision for his future.
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Lennon Miller made his Scotland debut this year
Credit: Willie Vass
He added: 'The one thing I'd said to Lennon was if he's going to move, he has to go somewhere he'll continue playing regularly.
'I made it clear Motherwell had done a really good job with him, but said to him, 'Make sure you're going to play, you're not going to sit on the bench'. The danger is he could go backwards.
'There's an opportunity now for Lennon after what he showed in the Liechtenstein game last month.
'If he's not going to play wherever he goes, then my advice would be to stay at Motherwell for at least another season.
'I know how football works, though, and there could be some fantastic opportunities ahead.'
Carver, 60, can't deny seeing Miller, 18, star in a top-five European league is an exciting prospect.
He said: 'It could take Lennon' game to a new level, like it has for Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Josh Doig and Che Adams.
'Lewis is the prime example. He went to Italy and Bologna at the right time in his career. He needed the next step — and his game developed so much.
'Lennon's got it all ahead of him. There's no reason why he can't develop the same as Scott and Billy.'
Meanwhile, Carver is full of hope for the Scotland team he's left behind.
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Steve Clarke with Lennon Miller
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
He added: 'It's a special group. Can they make the World Cup finals? Of course they can. I'd love to see that.'
Carver says quitting as Scotland No 2 was one of the toughest decisions of his career.
The 60-year-old spent five years as Steve Clarke's right-hand man — and hoped he could help the national team to a first World Cup finals since 1998.
But after Polish side Lechia Gdansk put a three-year deal on the table, Carver had no option but to take the job.
The offer was his reward for rescuing Lechia from relegation after answering their SOS in December.
Carver opened up for the first time about his international exit.
His last task with the national team was assisting Clarke for the final time in last month's 4-0 friendly win away in Liechtenstein.
He said: 'I've not spoken about it publicly since that game — but it was very emotional for me at full-time.
'Andy Robertson just grabbed me and took me to see the Tartan Army and say goodbye.
'It's not really in my nature to do that kind of thing. I don't get involved in that. I'm happy to work away in the background.
'If you're successful and the fans want to show their gratitude, it's down to the players.
'But Andy pushed me right to the front before the fans and I was a bit embarrassed.
'It was highly emotional and I'll be forever grateful for the ovation all the Scotland supporters gave me that day.
'I've got such a long connection with Steve Clarke, right back to our days at Newcastle.
'But it was five years with Scotland and 60 international matches. I'm going to miss it massively.
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06.06.2025 Scotland v Iceland, International friendly …………….. Steve Clarke and John Carver
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
'It's also the relationship you build with the players. You get to know them, you become fond of them. It's one of the best group of players I've ever worked with.
'I've loved working with Steve, the players and everyone on the staff.
'But Lechia gave me a fantastic offer and the scope to put together my own backroom staff and develop a young squad.
'I felt I owed them nothing but my total commitment.
'It's a huge job, there's so much to do.
'It was an extremely tough decision — one of the hardest of my career.
'I've given up Scotland with a heavy heart.'
Carver rates the Chase Football Coaching Programme as one of the best examples of investment in the game.
The former Scotland No 2 — giving his full backing to the initiative from the banking giants during National Employability Week — said:
'It's something that is close to my heart.
'It's a huge opportunity for people, especially those in under-resourced communities. This initiative is excellent, it gives everyone a chance.
'But coaching education isn't just about football. Through it you can also learn some really valuable life skills too.
'It doesn't matter if it's at grassroots level, amateur level or professional level. Everyone needs an opportunity in life.
'The funding side of it can be a major barrier, so I applaud how Chase have teamed up with the home nations to provide the financial backing for opportunities for all. It's great vision from them.'
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