BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
KENNY MILLER has drawn on his vast experience of starring at Celtic Park in a bid to ensure his Livingston players know what to expect at the home of the champions.
However, the player/boss admits he has no idea how the young Lions will handle the heat until they actually step into the Parkhead cauldron.
Livi have been handed a baptism of fire in their return to the top-flight following an absence of 12 years, crossing sword with Brendan Rodgers’ imperious double treble winners in their own back yard.
Moreover, with the exception of wily campaigners such as the Millers – both Kenny and Lee – and Keaghan Jacobs, few players in the Livi dressing room have played more than a handful of Premiership games, let alone prevailed at Celtic Park.
Miller, taking charge of his maiden league game as a manager, is acutely aware of the challenge his underdogs face, but is hopeful they can frustrate the Glasgow giants before illustrating their own quality.
“I’ve tried to let the players know earlier in the week exactly what to expect there,” said Miller. “It can be a daunting environment to play in for those who haven’t experienced it before.
“I’ve looked to pass on a wee bit of guidance about that, but everybody is different, and will react to it differently. I wouldn’t say it is a case of sink-or-swim, but you do have to hope you have enough players who react positively to the environment.
“We’ll do that by easing ourselves into the game and trying to frustrate Celtic as much as possible. If we can do that, find our feet, then the adrenaline will kick in and we can look to put things into practice that we’ve worked on during the week.
“I know a lot about the team we are facing so we’ve put a lot of detail into our sessions and the players understand, as well as they can, what they are going to be facing in terms of the multiple threats that Celtic pose.
“It will be electric – the first weekend of the season – and a great reward for all the hard work our boys have put in during the last couple of years.
“There are teams that have gone there before and given a good account of themselves so there is no reason we can’t do the same, with Celtic coming off the back of a tough game on Wednesday [Rosenborg] and facing another huge game on Tuesday night [AEK Athens].”
As well as his managerial duties, Miller will lead the line for Livi and is assured his customary barracking in the East End.
Although he represented the Hoops with aplomb during the 2006/07 season, his two spells with Rangers either side of that ensure he will be public enemy number one at Celtic Park this afternoon.
That is a burden he is more than content to shoulder, particularly if it takes some of the attention away from his players.
“I fully expect my usual welcome at Celtic Park,” he smiled. “It might be a little less hostile considering I’m not going there in the colours of their arch-rivals, however I’m sure it will be another colourful one.
“Any ex-Rangers players going back there gets some treatment.
“It would be great if that takes a little bit of the heat off the rest of the players. You want them to fully concentrate on their game – be disciplined and focused for 95 minutes – so if that helps, then good.”
Should Celtic, as most neutrals expect, prove too strong for Livingston, Miller insists it will have no bearing on their battle to consolidate in the top-flight. Nevertheless, he does want to see his team put down a marker.
“We won’t be judged on whether we can beat Celtic at Parkhead or not,” continued Miller. “We will be judged on the performance and the togetherness of the group, but I’ve no real worries in that respect.
“Although this is as tough as first fixtures come, the lads will be left in no uncertain terms about what they will face this season and the levels they need to reach to have a good chance of success. They will realise how big the step up is. We will have a really good idea where we stand at 5 p.m.”
