Lennon Miller has revealed that his big-money move to Udinese last summer has transformed him as a player and as a person, and the 19-year-old midfielder now has his eyes firmly set on a place in Scotland’s first World Cup finals squad in 28 years.
Speaking exclusively to BBC Scotland from Italy, the former Motherwell star says the step up to Serie A has sharpened every part of his game and insists he is desperate to be on the plane to the United States this June.
From Fir Park to Serie A: The Leap That Changed Everything
Miller completed a £5.5 million switch to Udinese in August 2025, becoming one of the most expensive Scottish teenagers ever sold.
Since then he has played 17 times in Italy’s top flight, including starts against Atalanta, Juventus, and Inter Milan.
“I feel like I’ve definitely, definitely got better,” Miller said. “The physical side of the game was the biggest shock at first, but now I’m used to it. You’re training every day with top players and facing some of the best in the world. That raises your level whether you like it or not.”
The teenager has already noticed the difference in his body and his football intelligence.
“Tactics change every week, formations change, you have to adapt quickly. That understanding of the game has improved massively.”
Living Alone in Italy and Growing Up Fast
Moving out of the family home in North Lanarkshire for the first time has been just as big a challenge as the football.
Miller now lives in a flat near Udinese’s training ground and takes Italian lessons every day.
“My Italian is getting better every day, honestly,” he laughed. “I can order food, speak to the kit man, have a proper conversation now. The first month was tough, but I love it here.”
His family visit regularly and the Scotland contingent in Serie A have become a home away from home.
The Scottish Mafia in Italy
Miller is one of seven Scots currently playing in Serie A: Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Che Adams (Torino) and Kieran Bowie (Hellas Verona).
Whenever they face each other, shirts are swapped and advice is shared.
“Every time we play one of the boys we speak after the game,” Miller said. “We swap shirts, have a catch-up. They’ve all been brilliant with me. Billy especially has been class, always checking in.”
World Cup 2026: The Dream Is Real
Scotland will play Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in the group stage in the USA this summer after qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998.
Steve Clarke names his squad for friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast later this month, and Miller is determined to be involved.
“You want to be in every single squad,” he said. “The World Cup is a dream. We maybe didn’t think we’d get this chance growing up, so to have it now would be very special. I’m doing everything I can to be part of it.”
Miller already has four senior caps and started both Nations League games in November.
With Liam Kelly, Angus Gunn, and Zander Clark ahead of him in the goalkeeping pecking order, competition in midfield is fierce, but the teenager’s form in one of Europe’s top leagues has put him firmly in Clarke’s thoughts.
Father Lee won four caps for Scotland in the 1990s. Lennon wants to surpass that tally this summer.
If selected, he will become one of the youngest Scots ever to play at a major tournament.
From Motherwell to the World Cup stage in less than a year, Lennon Miller’s rise has been remarkable, and the best could still be to come.
What do you think, should Lennon Miller be on the plane to the USA? Drop your thoughts below and use #MillerToTheWorldCup on X if you’re backing the kid!
