Hi °C | Lo °C Kenny Miller admits his first match as Scotland captain was close to perfection after he scored the opening goal in the 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in last night's Carling Nations Cup clash.
The Bursaspor striker took over the armband in the absence of injured Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher and led from the front as he fired the Scots ahead from close range in the 18th minute.
A first international goal from James McArthur, a late replacement for Scott Brown who was injured in the warm-up, and a Kris Commons strike six minutes after the break sealed the victory.
After the Dublin clash, Miller said: “It could not have gone much better.
“I have captained my country for the first time, managed to get a goal in a fantastic performance and fantastic result to start off this mini-tournament so as I say it could not have went much better. Obviously the result is the most important thing but to get the armband, get the goal and see a performance like that, it was convincing.
“It was one of the most enjoyable, we played very well and worked very hard.
“I felt the lads in midfield were outstanding, they were taking up great positions and every time we went up the park it finished with a shot on goal or something.”
Goalscorer McArthur said he is in the dark about suggestions his Wigan team-mate James McCarthy is set to pledge his allegiance to Scotland — but he would like to see it happen.
McCarthy, 20, used the grandparent rule to chose the Republic of Ireland over the land of his birth. However, his withdrawal from the Republic squad for Tuesday night's Carling Nations Cup clash with Wales has led to speculation about his commitment.
McArthur said: “I don't really know anything about it. It is James’ decision.”
