Football news in brief: Miller poised for Vancouver move

KENNY Miller is poised to complete a shock move to the MLS to end his playing career, writes Darren Witcoop.

The Scotland captain is set to fly across the Atlantic this week to conclude transfer talks with Vancouver Whitecaps. Miller, 32, is eyeing one final pay-day and has been given the go-ahead by Cardiff manager Malky Mackay – who will replace him with Craig Bellamy – to make the switch.

The former Rangers striker has now decided to quit the Welsh club, after just one season, and will link up with international teammate Barry Robson.

Miller, who only returned to British football after a nightmare spell in Turkey last summer, is on his travels again.

He is expected to put pen to paper on a lucrative two-year deal with Whitecaps who are managed by Scotsman Martin Rennie and his assistant Paul Ritchie, the former Hearts and Scotland defender.

A source close to Miller said: “Vancouver are an ambitious club and feel Kenny can make a real impact in the MLS. He is a close friend of Barry Robson and he has play+ed a role in persuading Kenny to make the move. The club feel he is at the right age, and is still a good enough player, to score plenty of goals at this level.”

Miller will become the latest Scottish import to play in the American league, following in the footsteps of ex-Ibrox strike partner Kris Boyd who joined Portland Timbers at the start of the year. Vancouver had initially made targeted Miller’s Cardiff team-mate Robert Earnshaw.

Miller, who his 60th cap in the 5-1 defeat by the USA in May, recently revealed he wants to spearhead Scotland’s attack in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

O’CONNOR IN LOVE WITH RUSSIA

Garry O’Connor has revealed he rejected a chance to stay in the SPL to move to Siberia in the Russian Second Division. The former Hibs striker has signed a two-year deal with Tom Tomsk, who have just been relegated.

But the Scotland international is convinced the standard in Russia’s lower league is as good as Scotland’s top flight. He said: “From what I have seen, the Russian Second Division is the same level as the Scottish Premier League.

“I had offers from clubs in Scotland and abroad. I weighed up all my options and decided together with my family to come back to Russia. It was not a difficult decision. Tom have shown interest in me for months and followed my career closely.”

n Fabio Capello is on the verge of being appointed manager of Russia.

WIGAN CHASE FYVIE

Wigan Athletic are interested in signing Aberdeen Fraser Fyvie. The midfielder’s contract expires in December and the Dons would be due compensation for the 19-year-old. But they would likely receive more if they sold him now.

n Airdrie United have brought former Kilmarnock, Ross County and Morton striker Paul Di Giacomo back to the club for a second spell after agreeing a one-year contract with the 30-year-old.