After a performance in which arguably the best young talent in the division went toe-to-toe with the champions, Kris Boyd could not ignore the feeling that the ship may have sailed for Rangers.
The Ibrox giants are one of countless clubs keeping very close tabs on Motherwell sensation Lennon Miller.
But in an era where the Scottish Premiership’s brightest up-and-comers tend to skip the middle man and head straight to a major European competition – see Lewis Ferguson, Josh Doig and Aaron Hickey in Serie A, for instance – Rangers legend Kris Boyd feels that 18-year-old Miller is rapidly outgrowing the domestic pond ahead of his potential migration to warmer waters.
Boyd cannot speak highly enough of the Scotland Under 21 international, watching him strike the crossbar with a sublime free-kick during Motherwell’s 3-0 defeat at Celtic on Sunday.
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Kris Boyd thinks Rangers have missed Lennon Miller chance
“I ended up focusing on him and watching him,” Boyd admits. “Even when he’s in his own box picking out his teammates, not just heading it away, he just looks so mature for his age.
“I’ll be honest – and no disrespect to Rangers or Celtic – I think he’s looking bigger than that now, I really do. And there is no reason why [not].
“I look at the clubs who will be interested. Scottish football gets a bad rap at times but he is one hell of a talented kid. He seems so level-headed as well.”
Recruitment chief Nils Koppen opened up Rangers’ recruitment policy recently, highlighting Hamza Igamane and Jefte Vital as proof of the value that can be found in lesser-utilised markets.
Koppen insists, however, that Rangers are determined to make Ibrox home to the best homegrown talents Scottish football has to offer as well.
As such, it will come as little surprise if Philippe Clement’s side look to partner Miller with former Aberdeen starlet Connor Barron when the time comes to fly the Fir Park next.
Boyd, however, feels that his former employers will face competition from clubs in Italy and Germany as well as England with Miller possessing so many of the attributes top-level outfits look for in a young midfielder.
Rangers legend lauds ‘exceptional’ Motherwell starlet
“I would not be surprised if there is German clubs arriving on the scene. And, when you look at this kid and what he brings to a game of football, I would not be surprised if those down the road are looking at him as well!” adds Boyd, a five-time winner of the Premiership’s Golden Boot.
“I think he’s exceptional. His passing, his awareness, and he never seems flustered, even when there is people around him. An old head on young shoulders.
“Even his body position, the way he receives [the ball], the way he protects the ball. [Against Celtic] he hit the bar with the free-kick. He had that lovely strike from the edge of the box.
“His awareness of what’s around him and the situation, when to up the tempo or when to calm it down. In there against Reo Hatate, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan, the three of them are top players but he didn’t look out of place in there.”
Andy Halliday, Miller’s Motherwell teammate, is convinced Miller would start ahead of Barron and Mohamed Diomande if Rangers ends up being his destination.
