Livingston player/manager Kenny Miller admits he is actively looking to enlist another coach to help ease the burden of his maiden campaign at the dugout.
Miller will take charge of his first competitive game in today’s Betfred Cup clash at Airdrie after his third stint at Rangers came to a bitter end earlier this summer.
The Lions initially made it clear that David Hopkin’s successor would have to work with the existing backroom team, including number two David Martindale.
But with the 38-year-old striker planning to make himself available for as many games as possible on the club’s return to the Premiership, the former Scotland internationalist admits he needs additional support behind the scenes.
Miller, who was yesterday handed the keys to a new £60,000 Toyota Land Cruiser as part of Livingston’s sponsorship deal with the Newbridge-based dealership, said: “That was something we talked about before deal was agreed and before we decided to move it forward.
“I felt it was important not just to help me, but everybody in the place.
“The fact that I’m going to be training everyday and playing in games, I think we’ll need that extra set of eyes on the touchline on a day-to-day basis – so that’s something we’re working away on.
“It’s about identifying the right person and seeing if a deal can be agreed and if the lad is interested.
“That’s something we’re trying to make headway with hopefully in the next week or so.
“I’ve spoken to people I’ve played with and worked with, a lot of people have made recommendations as well.
“I’m not ruling anything out, someone who is experienced could help but also someone who is young and hungry who is a good coach and can add to what we’ve already got.”
Miller, who scored five goals in 23 appearances during an injury-interrupted campaign last season, admits he is just as excited about returning to competitive action as a player this afternoon as he is about making his debut as manager.
He added: “I’m still thinking like a player and when you’re in pre-season you just want that first competitive game to come along so this Betfred Cup match gives you the opportunity to use it as a bit of pre-season.
“I know a lot of teams do that because it comes so early but for me it’s important we hit the ground running and start getting results.
“This team has built a winning mentality over the years so again it’s about trying to keep that going and the Betfred Cup gives us an opportunity to do that before the league and it’s perfect prep ahead of their first league game against Celtic.”
Livingston have already signed Steven Saunders, Ricki Lamie, Craig Sibbald, Callum Crane, Liam Kelly and Ryan Hardie but Miller is targeting another four new arrivals.
He added: “Three maybe four would give us a healthy number to push people on and give us competition.
“We’re a young group so maybe players with more experience would help, these are things we’re working on.”
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Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller has urged the club’s fans not to expect the kind of performances that new manager Steven Gerrard used to deliver in his heyday.
Liverpool legend Gerrard got his managerial career off to a winning start with Thursday’s workmanlike 2-0 victory over Macedonian outfit Shkupi in their Europa League first qualifying round clash.
Miller, whose third stint at the club came to an end earlier this summer following an alleged dressing room row with former boss Graeme Murty, watched the Ibrox match as a pundit for BT Sport.
And the new Livingston player/manager insists the supporters should not expect too much, too soon under Gerrard.
Miller said: “I think you can get caught up in the hype of Steven coming in, and I think everybody expected to see a performance that you would associate with Steven as a player – but it’s their third game in.
“It will be our third game against Airdrie in the Betfred Cup on Saturday, so I know where we’re at in that respect.
“It was a good win and they probably should have won by more goals.
“Both players and manager said afterwards that they would have liked to have been a little more clinical with the chances they created but it’s 2-0, job done and a professional performance.
“I’m sure they will progress in the next round.”
