CALVIN MILLER is looking forward to working with Neil Lennon again as he prepares to get back to work at Lennoxtown.
The Celtic academy graduate was delighted to see Lennon confirmed as Brendan Rodgers' replacement since he already has a working relationship with the Northern Irishman.
Just days after signing his first professional contract with the club as a 16-year-old, Lennon gave Miller his Celtic debut in a friendly game in Turkey with the player itching to get back to pre-season training later this month to catch the new manager's eye.
The 21-year-old has spent this season on loan, with Dundee his first port in the opening half of the season before he spent the latter months in the Championship as Ayr pushed for a play-off spot.
And he believes that Lennon will see a different player now than the raw kid who was coming through in the Northern Irishman's first managerial spell.
Miller's exposure to first-team football at Celtic has tended to come playing in the left-back berth but in his time at Ayr he has developed a more forward role.
It is something he is optimistic can enhance his prospects at Celtic Park as he prepares to return for pre-season training later this month.
“There was a good bunch of boys at Ayr and I got the chance to play," he said.
"I was playing in a different role too which was good. I was playing left-back and left-wing and I also played right-wing and through the middle too and that is kind of what I was before Brendan Rodgers wanted me to play full-back.
"I enjoyed being higher up the pitch. I am hoping that versatility might help me when I go back although, like everyone, I would happily play anywhere.
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“I made the most of my time with Ayr and it was great to get that experience. It will be the same routing of working hard and seeing if I can impress the manager."
And while Miller is prepared to work his way back into the first-team, the fact there is an existing relationship with Lennon is something that he is optimistic can work in his favour.
“Neil actually gave me my non-competitive debut against Galatasaray just a few days after I turned 16," he said.
"He had taken a load of the development squad out with the first-team to Antalya for a winter training camp and tournament and I got a wee bit of game time.
"I know Neil and I am delighted that he has got the job because he has a great enthusiasm for the game and I really enjoyed the time I had before when I was working with him.”
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