CALVIN MILLER has opened up on his Celtic exit and his career so far – praising former manager Brendan Rodgers. The 22-year-old had been at Celtic for over a decade but news last week confirmed that he would be departing at the end of his contract.

Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Miller spoke about how tough it was having to leave the club but that he will keep in touch, having departed with great memories of his time with the Scottish Champions. Miller admitted that he thought leaving was inevitable after Brendan Rodgers left the club.

“Celtic was all I knew. I supported the club then signed for them when I was 12.

“It’s been my life for ten years and I’ve been lucky to get the contracts to stay as long as I have. I’m sad to be leaving and I’ve got amazing memories.

“I know a lot of the coaches and I’ve spoken to them all.

“I’ve not been able to say a proper goodbye by shaking hands at Lennoxtown but it won’t be a goodbye because I’ll keep in touch with them.

“I sort of knew leaving was on the cards. Last August I’d come back from my loan at Ayr by which time Brendan Rodgers had left.

“Under Neil Lennon I got the vibe, because teams were getting made in training and I wasn’t in his plans.”

Miller heaped praise on Brendan Rodgers, the manager who gave the versatile wide player his debut. Miller made his bow in a home win over Partick Thistle in Rodgers’ first season at the Scottish Champions and Miller went on to make four more appearances in between loan spells.

“When Brendan came in he was incredible with me. He made me a better player and I learned something every day.

“I’d still say I’m a winger. When Brendan wanted me in his team you’d be left-back but because he was so dominant in possession it was like being a winger.

“It was just a case of how attacking the team was. If any manager asked me to play there again I wouldn’t say no. I’d do it for the team.

“My debut was a surreal moment. There was the noise and the huddle.”

Rodgers had attempted to use Miller as a left wingback, providing competition for Kieran Tierney, similar to what the Irishman did with Ryan Bertrand at Chelsea. Miller isn’t one for looking back in anger at his time at Celtic but he did consider the ‘what if’ question of what might have his career have been had Brendan Rodgers not left the club.

“If Brendan had still been there then who knows what might have happened. But people move on.

“He suited my style and I suited his style.”

Despite leaving his boyhood team, Miller holds no grudges against Celtic for departing after a decade at the club. Miller instead is proud of the part that he has played at Celtic, being involved in 9-in-a-row as well as the Double Treble celebrations.

“I was happy with what I did and I don’t have any regrets. The ten years went so quickly. These moments pass by so fast so you have to live them when it happens.

“Being in amongst the Double Treble and on the bus after the Cup final then celebrating in front of the fans at Celtic Park are moments I’ll never forget.

“To even play a small part in nine in a row, I should be more than happy with that.”

Miller will now recover from that ACL injury as he looks to get a new contract upon recovery. The 22-year-old still has plenty of time to make a good career for himself and he has been unfortunate with injuries, stunting his opportunities to make himself a first team regular.

Hopefully Miller is able to showcase the talents that he possesses and one day make his way back to Celtic Park.

VOTE NOW FOR THE CELTIC STAR’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

 Loading ...