Michael Wimmer: It's realistic for Motherwell to prepare for losing Lennon Miller

Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer has admitted it’s “realistic” for the club to start preparing for life without Lennon Miller, and hopes the midfielder makes the right move to develop his “fantastic” talent.

Miller has been with the club since he was seven and came through the youth system before breaking into the first team. He’s since gone on to become a key player for the Fir Park side and earned his first senior Scotland call-up this season.

The 18-year-old had since been named as PFA Scotland and SFWA Young Player of the Year.

That inevitably led to intense speculation about his future, and there was interest from home and abroad in signing the teenager in January.

No move materialised, but Miller has since been linked to clubs in Germany and Italy, among others.

It’s been widely predicted that the midfielder will move on this summer, and Wimmer appeared to nod towards that by substituting Miller in the 86th minute against Kilmarnock so he could enjoy the applause of the home fans for what could be the last time.

Asked on Thursday if he was having to think about dealing with the player’s departure this season, the manager admitted it was something he foresaw.

“It’s more realistic that we have to prepare without Lennon instead of with him,” he said.

“Hopefully he stays without injuries, he stays healthy, and if he stays healthy and finds the right club who believes in him and gives him the chance to be the Lennon who he is, then I think he will have a great career.”

Questions about the talented youngster have been a regular feature of Wimmer’s media conferences since the manager arrived in Scotland and he acknowledged that there was a lot of hype around the player but commended him for how well he dealt with the spotlight.

He said: “We’re always sitting here and speaking about football, about tactics, about technical, about is he a six, is he an eight, is he running behind, is he running?

“I think there are more topics than only football and if you’re 18 years old and you have so many offers, you’re always in the public, invited to the national team and you stay humble like him, you stay grounded, then it’s absolutely perfect and this is something that I like.

“It shows that Lennon is a great person, and it also shows that he has a fantastic environment. Always, the character from people is more important. He’s a fantastic football player. It’s clear because he shows this every day in the training and every weekend in the matches, but more important is that he’s a brilliant guy. If you have the skills and this character, then you will have a great career in front of you.”

The Motherwell boss admitted he didn’t know details of any interest or propose moves but said he hopes he’s taking the first steps in a big career.

“I’m not Lennon, I’m not in Lennon’s environment, I’m not Lennon’s agent, so I don’t know,” Wimmer said. “As I said before, I hope for Lennon that he makes the perfect next step.

“He and his environment will take the right decision. I wish him all the best in taking the right decision and also in his career.”