Motherwell’s Lennon Miller Could Be the Ideal Successor to Callum McGregor at Celtic
The potential for Motherwell’s young talent, Lennon Miller, to follow in the footsteps of Callum McGregor and join Celtic’s midfield has been a subject of growing speculation, and many believe it would be a logical move. According to Stephen O’Donnell, an insider at Fir Park, the idea of Miller succeeding McGregor is a natural progression, especially given the admiration Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has for the 18-year-old midfielder.
Earlier this year, Celtic showed significant interest in Lennon Miller during the January transfer window. However, Motherwell shut the door on any potential exit, with other clubs, including Udinese, also expressing interest in the talented youngster. But with Miller’s recent call-up to the senior Scotland squad by Steve Clarke for the Nations League matches against Greece, the rumors surrounding his future have only intensified.
In an appearance on Go Radio’s Football Show, O’Donnell offered an insightful comparison between Miller and McGregor. He explained that, similar to McGregor, Miller’s absence from the Motherwell team has a noticeable impact. “When he’s not in the team, we are a completely different side, and we miss him greatly,” O’Donnell remarked. “For an 18-year-old to be that central to the team, it speaks volumes about his quality as a player.” He further praised Miller’s versatility, noting that the young midfielder has both the physicality and technical skills required at the highest level.
O’Donnell continued, “He’s a player who can handle the physical demands, and his technical ability is outstanding. Whether he can become the best in Scotland is yet to be seen, but if he continues to develop at this pace, there’s no reason why he can’t reach that level. Looking at him as a potential replacement for McGregor at Celtic makes a lot of sense. He’s adaptable and could gradually ease into the team, learning from the established players around him.”
The idea of Lennon Miller stepping into the Celtic midfield is further supported by McGregor’s importance to the team. Despite some criticism directed at McGregor earlier in the season, particularly after Celtic’s poor performance in the derby, it’s clear that the team misses McGregor’s influence when he’s absent. O’Donnell’s comments highlight just how pivotal McGregor has been for Celtic, drawing a parallel with Miller’s impact at Motherwell.
Meanwhile, another player who has already made his mark at Celtic is Jota, whose return to the club in January for a reported £8 million has been met with much optimism. The Portuguese winger had a challenging period with limited game time at Al-Ittihad and Stade Rennes but has since found his stride back at Parkhead. In the three months since his return, Jota has scored three goals, but former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov believes the best is yet to come.
Petrov spoke to The Sunday Post, praising Celtic’s domestic and European performances this season. “Celtic is having a very positive season,” he said. “Domestically, they are close to securing another title, and they’ve made progress in the Champions League. The performances in Europe have been particularly impressive, and everyone at the club is extremely proud of the team.”
Petrov also spoke highly of Jota, noting that the winger will only get better with time. “Bringing Jota back was a real positive for Celtic,” he added. “He’s a fan favorite, and his connection with the supporters is strong. I have no doubt that he will make a huge impact next season.”
Looking ahead, Petrov believes that the upcoming weeks could be very special for Celtic, with the team likely to clinch the domestic title and potentially make further progress in European competition. “These are the moments that make being a part of Celtic so special, and the supporters are a massive part of that success,” Petrov concluded.
As Celtic looks to strengthen their squad for the future, the rise of Lennon Miller and the ongoing development of players like Jota offer plenty of optimism. While Miller’s future remains uncertain, his potential to succeed McGregor in the Celtic midfield is a tantalizing prospect, and it seems increasingly likely that the young star could be part of the Hoops’ plans in the near future.
