Livi experience hasn't dulled Kenny Miller's desire to be a boss

Kenny Miller was unveiled at Dens Park yesterday after signing a two-year deal with Dundee. Picture: SNS

The 38-year-old was unveiled at Dens Park yesterday having signed a two-year deal with Neil McCann’s men in the wake of his shock exit from the West Lothian club in what proved to be a baptism of fire in the dugout.

Miller left his post as player-manager of Livingston less than two weeks ago after only seven weeks at the helm. He succeeded David Hopkin before the club raised concerns about his reticence to hang up his boots and concentrate completely on management.

As he prepares to make his debut in tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership match with Motherwell at Dens Park, Miller has spoken about his whirlwind tenure in charge of Livi and insisted it has done nothing to dull his desire to one day return to the sidelines once his legs finally give up.

“Of course, You learn from every experience,” reflected Miller. “I’ve learned from every experience in my career that things need to be right basically. Things need to be properly in place in order to succeed, and I don’t want to say too much more than that. There’s been enough talk about different things recently.

“But again I enjoyed it. It was my first taste of management and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of players to work with who were totally professional in the way they went about their business.

“Look, I knew what I was getting and I was willing to meet that challenge head on.

“Moving on, I’ve learned and I’ve come out of it stronger. There were some positive experiences from that short time, no doubt about it.

“It’s not put me off going back into it in the future. If anything, it’s made me hungrier.

“What’s been said has been said, it’s beyond me now. I’ve got a game to prepare for, and I’ll do the same now as I have done for the last 22 years by getting ready to face  Motherwell.”

Dundee have scored only once in their last four games which has left them propping up the rest of the Premiership table, promoting McCann’s move to reunite himself with his former Rangers  team-mate.

Miller maintains the opportunity to join forces again with McCann, pictured, was one he simply couldn’t refuse. “As a player he was a winner and, as a manager, he wants to be a winner so it’s a pretty good fit overall.

“Every club has their own measure of success. So first and foremost we need to get the season up and running. There’s no better opportunity to do it than Saturday.

“I’ve watched our first three games and feel we’ve been unlucky to not have at least picked up one win. We’ve played some really good stuff, but it’s unfortunate we’ve got nothing to show for our efforts.

“It’s not a slight on anybody but maybe we just need to brush up on things in front of goal, and maybe the things we haven’t been doing so well.”

Miller was the subject of a move from St Mirren to try to lure him to Paisley and admitted it was tough to turn down Alan Stubbs’ newly-promoted side in favour of a switch  to Tayside.

“I had real positive talks with both clubs,” he said. “Alan’s a really good guy, so it was a tough decision to say no to him.

“We travelled together to Rangers – the manager and I – when I was there in 2000. I really just wanted to come here to Dens and play for him.

“Looking around the place, the senior players in the dressing room can always look to lift those around them. That includes me obviously. If things aren’t going great and there’s a little rut, it’s a lot about keeping the spirits up.

“I’ve now trained with the boys once and there’s a right good group of players. There are too many talented guys for this not to turn around. Hopefully it can start on Saturday.”