Newtongrange Star boss denies he is about to quit

Alan Miller is planning for next season at New Victoria Park

The New Victoria Park men are languishing in ninth place in the Super League having held hopes of a title challenge at the start of the campaign.

Star have suffered two defeats on the trot, away to Hill of Beath and at home to bottom club Tayport last weekend, prompting speculation that Miller’s future at the club was in doubt.

Miller recruited from the Senior ranks at the start of the season bringing in Lee Currie and Stephen Tulloch from Berwick Rangers, Lewis Coult from Arbroath and Kevin Motion from Spartans but the latter two have left the club in recent weeks.

“Anybody that looks at the table can tell that it’s been a poor season for us, but there will be an enough lot of clubs that would like to be in Newtongrange’s position,” said Miller ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Broughty.

“It’s the same problem that we’ve had all season – we aren’t scoring goals. We are the second lowest goalscorers in the league behind Tayport so it was no surprise it was heading for a 0-0 until they got a penalty [last week].

“As well as not scoring goals our players have showed ill-discipline throughout the season and we are now beginning to suffer from that.

“I’ve sat down with the committee in the past two weeks and talked about plans for next season and there is commitment from both sides.

“Everything is being planned for next season and until something changes that’s what it continues to be.”

Miller brought in attacking-midfielder David Morris from Berwick last week in an attempt to boost his forward options. The Newtongrange boss has tinkered with his formation throughout the campaign but to no avail.

“We don’t get enough bodies high up the park, we’ve got too many guys that want to go towards the centre halves and take the ball off them rather than join in the attacking play.

“We’ve tried [to change formation], we’ve played three or four formations during the season and nothing seems to be working. We have to continue to try and improve and if it doesn’t work out then we obviously have to get the recruitment right for next season.

“The players have been great, I don’t have any problems with the players. As a club we have not performed this season.”

Nitten are without Craig Thomson through suspension for tomorrow’s match while Currie misses out through injury.