Kenny Miller admits language could be barrier at Rangers

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha (L) and striker Kenny Miller promote the upcoming Europa League qualifier against Progres Niederkorn. Picture: SNS

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The Gers veteran is looking forward to the club’s first European tie in six years when they take on Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn.

Thursday’s Ibrox first leg will provide the Light Blues faithful with their first chance to see a clutch of Pedro Caixinha’s eight new summer signings.

But Miller admits communicating with Portuguese duo Dalcio and Fabio Cardoso, Columbian frontman Alfredo Morelos and Mexican pair Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera has proved far from straight forward so far as the foreign imports get to grips with learning English.

The former Scotland striker says his new colleagues still have some way to go before they will be able to talk a good game but is confident Gers will not end up tongue tied against Niederkorn.

The 37-year-old said: “Having the influx that we have had will create more competition, which is something we probably haven’t had enough of in recent years.

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“The new lads have been settling in fine. They have been coming in over the last three weeks in dribs and drabs but this is a great place to come to so it’s always easy to settle in.

“The only small issue we have got is the language, which I’m sure will be addressed over the course of the season.

“Communication is huge, particularly playing in an environment with 50,000 people cheering you on. It can be so noisy you can barely hear yourself think, never mind what others are saying.

“So you do need to be able to communicate with your team-mate next to you and that is something that will probably have to get better as the season goes on.

“When you’re in the heat of the battle you end up screaming things and people will be looking at you and thinking, ‘What’s this guy saying?’

“But it’s something that definitely needs to improve as communicating is crucial to all team sports.

“Right now we’ll just be looking to get wee words or phrases, football terminology, passed on that can help the new lads in the heat of battle.”