GREG MILLER speaks to Karen Fleming about life after the Lichties

You hung up your boots in the summer, are you involved with football at the moment?

Yes I’m coaching at Rangers three nights a week.  I was working with the U17s until Christmas, but now there are only 5 outfield players at the age group without full-time contracts so I have been moved to the U14s.

Do you miss playing at all?

Yes, I miss playing, but don’t miss the training at all. Last season I had a lot of problems with my back and pelvis. I had to get a lot of physio between games.  I had been training on astro-turf for six years and I think eventually that takes its toll.  On top of that the travelling was a nuisance.  My job at the bank was getting really busy.  Although I’m travelling to Glasgow and the mileage is about the same, I don’t have to go near the Forth Road Bridge, which saves a lot of time.

How easy do you find the manager’s job and do you ever ask your Dad for advice?

Nothing is easy, everything has its challenges, but being a manager is something I love doing.  I achieved my UEFA ‘A’ Licence in the summer because I knew coaching was something I wanted to get into.  As for asking Dad for advice, I speak to him about football all the time, but not really about my team, as I feel confident with what I’m doing with them.

So is management or coaching seniors something you see yourself getting into in the future?

I’d love to get into full-time coaching in the future; my job in the bank would have to be put on the back burner.  I can’t see it happening at Rangers in the immediate future, as there was a complete re-shuffle in the summer.  A new guy was brought in to be the Head of Youth Development, he actually appointed me along with two other full-time staff so I can’t see there being any changes just now.  I would like to get some more experience under my belt anyway.  Last season when I was still at Arbroath, I had a part-time coaching job at Hibs, where I worked with the U15 team.  I suppose the next step would be working with young professionals, U19 or U21 and then, who knows.

Did you ever feel under pressure as a player because of who your Dad was?

I only ever felt under a bit of pressure at Hibs, but thereafter it didn’t bother me.

Who would you like to see getting the Scotland job and why?

You’ve put me on the spot there!  I don’t think it matters who comes in as long as he keeps the momentum going.  Whoever he is, he will have a tough job on his hands.  There will be pressure to keep Scotland at the top of the group and if I’m being honest I don’t think we will finish in the top spot.  I think Alec McLeish will be appointed before this is being read on Saturday.  He seems to be the man the SFA have in their sights.  I can’t see Gary McAllister getting the job, as I don’t think he has enough experience.  He has only done about 18 months at Coventry and had to give up because of his wife’s illness. 

Actually that’s one good thing about not playing any more, I can get to games.  I’ve been at a few international games; the Scotland v France game was fantastic.  Although the youths play on a Sunday I’ve still made it down to three Liverpool games, not the victory against Chelsea unfortunately, I had U14 trials, but I’m going to the Champions League game against Barcelona.