Lewis Miller will always hold hard-tackling Socceroos legend Lucas Neill as his first role model in football. And considering both players came through the ranks at a Sydney-based club called Manly United perhaps their fondness for the physical side of the game should be no surprise.
But while former West Ham and Blackburn ace Neill was the Hibs defender’s top idol it’s a player with Sheffield steel mixed with Scottish blood flowing through his veins who gave him the strength to try mixing it in Europe.
Miller reckons the day former Scotland U21 international and Sheffield United icon Nick Montgomery took on the top job at Central Coast Mariners was the moment his own career powered onto a new level.
As a teenager he had made his A-League breakthrough under Alen Stajcic. But it was Montgomery’s faith and guidance after moving into the top job last season after a spell coaching in the club’s academy which made Miller a standout.