Miller gives Rams cause for hope

Miller gives Rams cause for hope

The January transfer window is near and the rumours have Rams striker Kenny Miller returning to Scotland with Glasgow Rangers, but the lively Scotsman believes Derby are heading in the right direction as they battle against the odds to beat the drop.

Miller, who celebrated his 28th birthday with a goal in the Rams 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James` Park on Sunday, hasn`t let the transfer speculation get to him and his all-round performance was second to none against the Magpies.

The draw ended a poor run of seven consecutive defeats for Paul Jewell side but the point gave the Rams confidence before today`s big Boxing Day clash against Liverpool at Pride Park.

Miller said: "It was a good performance and we could have had the three points, but it wasn't to be.

'From the balance of play it was probably a fair result but when you get to the 87th minute and you`re 2-1 up you expect to get the win.

'They were poor goals conceded on our part and we need to improve on that in the coming weeks, but we have scored at Manchester United, we've scored twice at Newcastle and so we are definitely going in the right way and are making progress.

'We know if we do the right things and cut out the mistakes then we have got a chance.'

New Rams boss Paul Jewell is still waiting for his first win and the Rams now have back-to-back home games against Liverpool on Boxing Day and Blackburn Rovers on December 30, but he his adamant Miller is staying at Pride Park.

He said: "I have had no contact from Rangers and I'm not looking to sell Kenny Miller. As I said last week, I have not had any calls about our players apart from Steve Howard."

All Miller has on his mind is the visit of Rafael Benitez`s Liverpool, "'We stopped the rot and it is always pleasing to come away with at least a point when you go to a place like Newcastle, we now have to carry on with the job,' said Miller.