Preston striker hails famous sibling and eyes Annan

STUART MILLER, the Preston Athletic striker, has nothing but admiration for his brother Kenny, two years his senior, who picked up his 50th Scotland cap against the Czech Republic and is now a member of the SFA's International Roll of Honour.

"It's impossible to describe how my mum and dad feel, along with myself, and the rest of our families, are so proud of Kenny for what he has achieved," said Stuart. "However, he is still very down to earth and my wife Donna gave birth to our first child Jaden the evening before the Czech game when Kenny came on as a substitute to earn his 50th cap. As soon as he arrived back in Scotland on the Saturday he immediately came to visit his wee nephew.

"Although he was disappointed not to start the game he has looked at the bigger picture and is extremely pleased to be part of the International Roll of Honour." The brothers' dad, Jocky, was a former player of a very successful Whitehill Welfare side and he tries to watch both of his sons as often as possible. "Both my mum and dad try to watch us week about which is not always possible although it will be this weekend when I play against Annan Athletic on Saturday and Kenny is involved in the Old Firm game on Sunday."

Stuart has his own footballing highlights, one of the most significant being four years ago, when his goal for Preston against Stenhousemuir helped knock the SFL Third Division club out of the Scottish Cup. He would love to emulate that feat against another senior team, Annan Athletic, in this season's Scottish Cup second round tie at the Pennypit on Saturday.

"Annan have done well since they were admitted into the SFL and it is obviously a massive game for us," said Stuart. "A lot of questions were asked when they were admitted but already they have made a name for themselves. However, we are at home and we will be underdogs which, if anything, suits us better.

"We have stood up well against SFL sides in the past and I would love to score again. As a forward I always want to get on the end of chances and put the ball in the net. I feel that if we play as we can then we will be more than a match for Annan."

A goal and a victory would also earn him a congratulatory telephone call from his older brother, Kenny, as he prepares for his Sunday match for Rangers against Celtic.

Also in the Preston Athletic line-up on Saturday will be Kyle Collins, the nephew of former Hibs manager John Collins, who signed for the Prestonpans club from Gala Fairydean in the summer.

Kyle, at age 19, is currently studying psychology at Napier University, having previously played his football with Hutchison Vale, Gala Rovers and Gala Fairydean. However, this Scottish Cup tie against Annan Athletic will undoubtedly be the biggest and highest profile game of his career at East of Scotland League level.

"Although I played for Gala Fairydean for two seasons my biggest game was against Civil Service Strollers in the second round of the Scottish Cup last season and we lost 1-0," said Collins. "There is always great excitement around clubs when Scottish Cup games are on the horizon and that has been the case this week. Training has been good and there is an extra buzz about the dressing room."

Collins' style has endeared him to the Preston supporters with his ability to pick out excellent passes and make penetrating runs off the ball along with his boundless energy. He has admitted though that not everything has gone right for Preston this season.

"Our league form has been indifferent although I firmly believe that all we need is for all of us players just to show a bit more self-confidence and self-belief," said Collins. "Having said that, I genuinely do not think that we are getting the luck we deserve at both ends of the park. There just seem to be too many bounces going against us this season."

Collins has been heavily influenced in his fledgling career by his father, Norrie, who played in the highly successful Gala Fairydean team of the 1990s, and his two uncles Neil and John. "I have obviously admired all of them, particularly John in a footballing sense because he played with Hibs and Celtic," said Kyle. "As a Celtic supporter myself it was a shame that John did not play in a more successful Celtic side as they won only one trophy when he was there, the Scottish Cup in 1995. Maybe I could equal that with Preston Athletic!

"My dad will be coming to watch me against Annan and although I haven't spoken to John there is every chance that he also might come along.

"Annan may well be the favourites as they are an SFL team but we are looking forward to the challenge."