Kenny Miller insists he’ll be playing in the top flight next season – even if it’s not for Rangers

WITH no contract offer yet forthcoming from Rangers, Kenny Miller can’t be sure if he will be playing for the Light Blues next season.

But, in a message likely to pique the interest of Hibs fans, among others, the 37-year-old insists that if he is not, then he is liable to be lining up against them.

“I 100% believe I will still be playing in the top flight next season,” said the man who started his career at Easter Road and would certainly look a decent pick up for Neil Lennon in his bid to strengthen ahead of next season’s promotion.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind I will be playing at a very good level next year.

“I wouldn’t be wanting to stay here with Rangers if I didn’t think I could do that.”

And, thanks to stunning goals such as his brace in the 3-0 win up at Aberdeen, he’s a firm favourite with the Rangers support who have hailed him a better finisher now than at any point in his previous two spells with the club.

“I don’t know about that. What I would say is that as I have got a bit older I’ve definitely become more composed in front of goal,” said the striker.

“When you’re younger you recognise the significance of goals, how they change games.

“And they do – the goal at Aberdeen changed our whole outlook on the game and our performance.

“When you’re younger you are maybe a bit more rash. So that’s definitely something that has improved with age.”

The insecurity of Miller’s position – new manager Pedro Caixinha insists he alone will have the final say on who stays and who goes – means the two back-to-back Old Firm derbies could be his last.

“It could be,” he said as he looked ahead to the Scottish Cup semi-final and league double header.

“But six years ago I was in a similar situation, running out of contract and thought I had faced my last semi.

“I’ve been fortunate to come back again and have a few over the last few seasons.

“It’s Hampden again which I really enjoy, the occasion of playing at the national stadium.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to it.

“I’ve done enough talking about my own situation and it’s about getting on with the game and going about my business as normal, working hard for the team and playing a part in another good team performance and result.”

A former Celtic player, Miller has no problem acknowledging the champions’ remarkable domestic dominance this season but echoes his boss in stressing it can’t be the focus for himself and his teammates.

“We know they have got good players. You see that from the analysis of their team.

“But we have good players as well,” he said.

“So it is about finding that balance of nullifying their threats and seeing how we can beat them. The manager is very, very clear on his instructions about that.

“Of course we know they are going for the Treble and are attempting to finish the season unbeaten against Scottish opposition.

“But if we don’t beat them in the next two games we can’t stop that.

“Our focus is firmly on winning this game of football.

“By hook or by crook, whether we have to take 120 minutes, 90 minutes or penalties, we have to get to ourselves through to that Final.

“Beating them in last year’s semi-final was actually a big milestone in itself for this team.

“So not to follow it up was tough but we have got an opportunity now. We are one year on and we are in a semi-final again, one game away.

“We have to use those memories of last year’s Final to try to drive us on.”