Miller well aware of Largs class

The East Region Super League champions entertain Largs Thistle at New Dundas Park tomorrow (1.45pm kick-off) and the Ayrshire side are currently third, four places above local rivals Irvine Meadow, in the Stagecoach Super League Premier Division.

"We haven't been able to get a look at Largs due to all the recent postponements, so that was one of the reasons I decided to go along to Easter Road to see Irvine Meadow," said Miller.

"I knew they'd give us an indication of what to expect against Largs and it is going to be tough for us on Saturday because not only have Largs beaten Irvine Meadow they have also got the better of Auchinleck Talbot.

"However, we've got home advantage and we are hoping to use that advantage to progress in a game that I'd like to think should attract a good crowd."

That was certainly the case when Bonnyrigg faced Fraserburgh in an Active Nation Scottish Cup replay earlier in the season and, faced with a mountain to climb in their bid to retain the Super League title, Miller is hoping his side can stay in the Junior Cup beyond this round.

"I know a lot of people see this competition as the Holy Grail but, for me, the biggest priority of the season is always the league," he added.

"It is going to be difficult for us now to retain our title, so we want to do well in the Junior Cup as it's a national competition, creating a good buzz at clubs whenever it comes around."

Bonnyrigg came out of cold storage last weekend to play Spartans in a friendly on their plastic pitch.

Miller was delighted to see his players back in action but was less pleased to see the shortcomings that have hindered their season to date hadn't gone away during the weather-enforced break.

"I was delighted to get the game last weekend – I'd have hated to go into the Largs match without any football – but it was a game that really did summarise our season," he said.

"I thought we were the better team on the day and created the better chances but we failed to take them and conceded a couple of sloppy goals in losing 2-1 (Mark Robertson scored for Bonnyrigg].

"It was a friendly and there were too many substitutions – I made six changes at half-time when we were leading 1-0 – but we spoke about things in the game at training earlier this week.

"I said to the players that they needed to be more ruthless in the final third, that they had to take more care with the final pass and do better in front of goal. If we are still talking about these things at the end of the season, we are going to be a team in trouble.

"We need to get it sorted out and it's something we are trying to address in the dressing-room."

David Burrell is doubtful for tomorrow's game due to a hamstring injury, while the signing of Craigroyston striker Sean Martin will have come too late for him to be eligible for the Scottish Cup.

"Sean was actually training here when I first arrived but then he disappeared," said Miller.

"He's been doing well at Craigroyston, where he's been scoring goals, and we have decided to take the opportunity to sign him with our squad being a bit tight at the moment."

Largs manager Sandy MacLean is delighted to see his side doing so well in the top flight of the Stagecoach Super League after being promoted as First Division champions last season.

"I'm constantly being told there are no superstars in my team and, collectively, they are certainly a good bunch," he said. "But you can't be sitting in the top three in our league without having good players.

"Winning games last season has stood us in good stead for this campaign and we've had some decent victories, including a 3-1 win at Irvine Meadow.

"They're the current champions and the fact we beat them after being 1-0 down after ten minutes was no mean feat – it raised a few eyebrows."

As for tomorrow's opponents, MacLean added: "It doesn't get much tougher than an away game against the East League champions and I know they are a strong side with a couple of extremely good players."