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Coup for East Kilbride who sign ex-Scotland and 10-season Scottish Premiership striker

There has been quite the coup for Lowland League club East Kilbride, who sign an ex-Scotland and 10-season Scottish Premiership striker.

Former Falkirk co-manager Lee Miller has returned to football following his departure from the Bairns earlier this year.

The 38-year old had been at the Scottish League One outfit alongside David McCracken from November 2019 until April 2021 when they parted company with the club after a run of bad results.

As well as being brought in to co-manage the team, Miller also registered as a player for what would be his third spell in the dark blue strip.

Over the past two campaigns the former Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, Bristol City, Dundee United, Notts County, Scunthorpe, Carlisle, Kilmarnock, Livingston and Hearts forward played 11 games and scored one goal for the Bairns.

CLUB STATEMENT:

EK gaffer Stephen Aitken has completed a midweek signing swoop, by today agreeing deals with trio of players ahead of the new season.

A busy morning at K-Park saw the arrival of former Aberdeen, Falkirk and Scotland striker, Lee Miller, and former Morton midfield favourite Chris Millar also checked in shortly after.

Full back / wide midfielder Jamie Stevenson completed an impressive Wednesday as Aitken continues to assemble his squad ahead of a return to training next week.

Speaking of his delight at the triple swoop, Aitken told the club media, “I am really happy to have added players of such experience and quality ahead of our pre-season start next week. Lee Miller brings a wealth of striking experience to our group and allows us some real flexibility in our play, he will be a great presence in the team and is in great condition.

LEE MILLER’S CAREER:

2000–2003 – Falkirk – 61 games (27 goals)
2003–2005 – Bristol City – 49 games (8 goals)
2005 → Heart of Midlothian (loan) – 18 games (8 goals)
2005–2006 – Dundee United – 37 games (8 goals)
2006–2010 – Aberdeen – 119 games (29 goals)
2010–2011 – Middlesbrough – 11 games (0 goals)
2010 → Notts County (loan) – 6 games (2 goals)
2011 → Scunthorpe United (loan) – 18 games (1 goal)
2011–2014 – Carlisle United – 90 games (28 goals)
2014–2015 – Kilmarnock – 19 games (1 goal)
2015–2018 – Falkirk – 72 games (15 goals)
2018–2019 – Livingston – 28 games (3 goals)
2020–2021 – Falkirk – 9 games (1 goal)

The Manager was also wholesome in his praise for ex St Johnstone and Morton midfielder Chris Millar, commenting, “Chris is a great talent and a player I have always admired. He has a wealth of experience and the work he does as a Personal Trainer means he is also in exceptional shape, and can still get around the pitch, having a massive influence on matches..

And there was also excitement surrounding the capture of former Kelty Hearts wide man Stevenson, with the gaffer adding, “Jamie brings versatility and can operate as a right back and in wide midfield. He also has some strong experience of the Lowland League as a winner, which is important, along with a great pedigree in the SPFL during his spells at Peterhead, Morton and other clubs.

Aitken’s new men will join up with other recent signings, Greg Wylde, Neil McLaughlin and Cammy Elliott when the team start pre-season training next Tuesday, while former K-Park goal hero Joao Victoria also returns for a third spell.

Popular Goalkeeper Conor Brennan will also be back, having agreed a new deal, as will Steven Old, Stephen Saunders, Anton Brady, Chris Erskine, Craig Malcolm and young midfielder Greg Stewart.

The new look Kilby side will be seeking to prepare well for a whirlwind start to the season that will commence with the visit of Kimarnock to K-Park in the Premier Sports League Cup on Saturday 10th July, along with other Group G section matches against Morton, Stranraer and Clyde.

The 21/22 Lowland League season will get underway on Saturday 17th July, with fixtures due out in a fortnight, as Aitken and his team get ready for another crack at the League title and Pyramid play-offs.

Fans reacted after seeing the coup for East Kilbride who sign up the ex-Scotland and 10-season Scottish Premiership striker Lee Miller along with the other new names…

@CharlieHarris99: Best of luck to Lee. Can see him doing well in the Lowland League!

@RaithTheRover: That Falkirk must’ve got to him… christ

@KennyCrawford_: Great capture by East Kilbride getting Lee Miller on board to lead their attack for the new Lowland League season.

@fraserpaul6: @officialEKFC also Add ex Morton midfielder Chris Millar to their squad, Nice to see they are giving youth a chance a combined age of only 76! 🤷‍♂️

@ForeverAYellow: Quality signing getting Lee Miller in! Wishing him all the best!

@Sawers_1: Good luck m8. Hopefully fans back at the league cup game

@BM12____: Great signing 👏👏

@bobduff800: Good luck Midge.

@rab_woods: What a signing. 😮

@FrankieRTR: I hope Midge doesn’t do what a host of other released players have done in the past and come back to haunt us on the 13th July cup game!! Good luck in every other game though @MidgeyMillar 😳 #Morton

@DiegoMaradobbn: He looks chomping at the bit to get started with that hoodie on.

@Chrismcnulty75: All the best @MidgeyMillar

@Aidan_1874: Please let fans back in for the cup game so we can give him the send off he deserves

@louise_ton22: Great signing for them, hopefully gets the goodbye he deserves if fans are back in for the cup game

@FrankieRTR: Good luck Chris you will be a brilliant addition to their squad for the coming season! They must be chuffed to bits they’ve landed you

@thommosmith180: Still a few yrs left in the auld dog yet class signing

@duchess1806: Good Luck Midgey at your new team!

@KenBGraham: Good Luck! Just don’t do TOO well against the ‘Ton in the ‘Premier Sports’ cup!!!

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