Nacho Novo has revealed he hopes Lennon Miller will follow in his footsteps by rejecting Celtic for Rangers.
The 18-year-old Motherwell sensation is poised to ignite a bidding war in January, with some of Britain’s biggest clubs vying for his signature.
Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa joined both halves of the Old Firm in scouting Miller as he captained Scotland’s Under-19s to a 0-0 draw against France earlier this week.
A graduate of Motherwell’s Fir Park academy, Miller is under contract until 2026 and is expected to break the club’s transfer record.
Well chiefs have set an asking price of over £4 million for the midfielder, a figure that would be a modest investment for Celtic or his English suitors.
However, it remains uncertain whether Rangers could match that fee, given their ongoing financial balancing act.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement is said to be an admirer of Miller, and former Ibrox striker Novo believes the teenager would walk straight into the Rangers first team if a deal can be struck.
Speaking to Gambling.com, Novo said:
“It’s a difficult one. He’s a very talented player, but I don’t know if he [Lennon Miller] will decide to go to Rangers or Celtic. It depends on how much he’s going to play at Celtic, and how much he’s going to play at Rangers.
“Maybe he will play more games for Rangers because they need quality and fresh legs. I played with his dad at Carlisle United, and he was a good striker. I would love it if they [Rangers] signed him because he’s very good and very mature for his age. He’s only 18 but he looks as if he’s an experienced player. He can only get better and better.”
Novo famously rejected Celtic in favour of Rangers in 2004, a decision that cemented his legendary status among the Ibrox faithful.
Reflecting on his choice, Novo added:
“That’s a question that people always ask me, but it was always Rangers for me. The club [Dundee] pushed me to go to Celtic and listen to what they had to say, but I had already made my mind up.
“I thought Rangers were the better team, with all the players they had and all the leagues they won. I made the right choice [joining Rangers].”