kids encyclopedia robot

Kenny Miller facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Kenny Miller
Kenny Miller - Brazil vs Scotland Mar11 (cropped).jpg
Miller in 2011
Personal information
Full name Kenneth Miller
Date of birth (1979-12-23) 23 December 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Atlanta United (assistant coach)
Youth career
1988–1996 Hutchison Vale
1996–1997 Hibernian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 Hibernian 45 (12)
1998–1999 Stenhousemuir (loan) 11 (8)
2000–2001 Rangers 30 (8)
2001 Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 5 (2)
2001–2006 Wolverhampton Wanderers 164 (50)
2006–2007 Celtic 33 (11)
2007–2008 Derby County 30 (4)
2008–2011 Rangers 81 (49)
2011 Bursaspor 15 (5)
2011–2012 Cardiff City 43 (10)
2012–2014 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 43 (13)
2014–2018 Rangers 114 (35)
2018 Livingston 2 (0)
2018–2019 Dundee 33 (8)
2019–2020 Partick Thistle 21 (5)
Total 670 (227)
International career
2000–2001 Scotland U21 7 (2)
2003 Scotland B 1 (0)
2001–2013 Scotland 69 (18)
Managerial career
2018 Livingston
2022 Falkirk (caretaker)
2025– Atlanta United (assistant coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kenneth "Kenny" Miller (born 23 December 1979) is a Scottish football coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United. Miller played as a striker. He is one of only five players since World War II to have played for both of Scotland's biggest rival clubs, Rangers and Celtic.

Miller started his career at Hibernian. He then moved to Rangers and later to the English team Wolverhampton Wanderers. There, he won his first trophy, the 2003 First Division play-off final. After five seasons with Wolves, Miller went back to Scotland. He signed for Celtic, the other half of the famous Old Firm rivalry. In his only full season at Celtic, he won the SPL title and the Scottish Cup.

After playing one season for Derby County, Miller returned to Scotland and rejoined Rangers. He helped them win two SPL titles in a row, the Scottish Cup, and the Scottish League Cup. In January 2011, he moved to the Turkish club Bursaspor. Later that year, he came back to the UK to play for Cardiff City. After one season with Cardiff, Miller played in Major League Soccer for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He had a third time playing for Rangers between 2014 and 2018. After a very short time as a player/manager for Livingston, Miller also played for Dundee and Partick Thistle.

Miller was a regular player for the Scotland national team from his first game in 2001 until he retired from international football in 2013. He often played as a lone striker, scoring 18 goals in 69 games for his country.

Miller began his coaching career as a player-manager for Livingston. He later worked in Australia as an assistant coach for the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers. He has also been an assistant manager for Falkirk and Huddersfield Town.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting at Hibernian

Kenny Miller grew up in Musselburgh, Scotland. He got his big chance when he signed with his local team, Hibernian. He played his first game for them in the 1997–98 season against Motherwell.

He then had a loan spell at Stenhousemuir. During this time, Miller scored 10 goals in just 13 league and Scottish Cup matches. After this, he returned to Hibernian and became a regular player. A highlight of his four years there was being the club's top scorer in the 1999–2000 season. He also won the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2000.

First Time at Rangers

On June 26, 2000, Miller signed for Rangers for £2 million. He signed a five-year contract. His first game for Rangers was on July 26, 2000, in a Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas. Rangers won that game 4–1.

He scored his first goal for the club on August 5, 2000, in a league match against Kilmarnock. A few months later, Miller scored five goals in one game against St Mirren. This was a Scottish Premier League record. He also scored against AS Monaco and Aberdeen. By the end of 2000, he had scored 10 goals in just 14 games. He made 38 appearances and scored 11 goals in total during his first time at Rangers.

Time at Wolverhampton Wanderers

In September 2001, Miller joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-month loan. He scored against Gillingham and Walsall. However, after only five games, he broke his collarbone. In December 2001, Wolves bought him permanently for £3 million.

In the 2002–03 season, Miller became a key player for Wolves. He scored 18 goals in the last 24 games of that season. This included a goal in the play-off final, which helped the club win promotion to the Premier League.

In the 2003–04 season, Miller had a slow start due to injury. He scored important goals in cup games and then scored the winning goal against Manchester United. He also scored a late goal against Liverpool. Even though he played as a striker more often, these were his only Premier League goals that season. Wolves were relegated at the end of the season.

In 2004, Miller wanted to leave Wolves. Despite some disagreements with the manager, he started the 2004–05 season well, scoring seven goals in his first 10 games. He ended the season with 20 goals. In 2005, Sunderland tried to buy him, but Wolves refused. Miller was the top scorer for Wolves for the third time in a row, with 12 goals. He played 191 games and scored 63 goals for the club.

Playing for Celtic

When Miller's contract ended, he moved to Celtic for free in 2006. This was a big move because he became only the third player since World War II to play for both Rangers and Celtic.

He had a tough start at Celtic, not scoring in his first nine games. But then he scored his first goal against his old team, Rangers, in September 2006. He also scored in the Champions League against Copenhagen and two goals against Benfica. By scoring in the 2006–07 competition, Miller became the first player to score in the Champions League for both Rangers and Celtic. He finished the season with four league goals and played in the Scottish Cup final. He scored 11 goals in 46 games for Celtic.

Short Time at Derby County

On August 31, 2007, Miller signed a three-year deal with Premier League club Derby County. He started well, scoring in his first two home games. This included the winning goal against Newcastle United, which was named the club's Goal of the Season. However, he only scored two more goals in his next 28 league games. After less than seven months, Miller wanted to leave Derby.

Second Time at Rangers

Kenny Miller - tackle
Miller going in for a slide tackle against St Mirren in 2010

On June 13, 2008, Miller returned to Rangers. This made him the only player in modern times to cross the Old Firm divide twice. He played his second debut for Rangers on July 30, 2008, in a Champions League qualifier. He scored two goals in the first Old Firm game of the season in August 2008. He also scored two more goals against his former club Hibernian.

In March 2009, Miller played in the League Cup Final, but Rangers lost to Celtic. However, he won a league winners' medal with Rangers that season and a Scottish Cup winners' medal.

Miller had some injuries at the start of the 2009–10 season. But he was the best player in the first Old Firm game, scoring both goals in a 2–1 win. In March 2010, he scored the winning goal in the League Cup Final against St Mirren.

He was given the number 9 shirt. On August 22, 2010, he scored his second hat-trick for Rangers against Hibernian. He said he was in "the best form of his career" after scoring 10 goals in the first six league games of the 2010–11 season. Miller scored twice in the first Old Firm derby of that season. By early January, he had scored 22 goals. Rangers accepted an offer from Bursaspor. Miller had actually scored against Bursaspor earlier that season in the Champions League. Even though he left Rangers in the middle of the season, he was the top goalscorer in the SPL.

Playing in Turkey and Wales

On January 21, 2011, Miller signed for Bursaspor in Turkey. He played his first game two days later. He scored in his first start for Bursaspor in a 2–0 win against Galatasaray. He scored five goals in 15 games for the club.

Kenny Miller Cardiff 2012
Miller playing for Cardiff

Miller did not settle well in Turkey and asked to leave. On July 26, 2011, he signed for Cardiff City. He scored his first goal for Cardiff in his debut match against West Ham United. He scored two goals against Southampton in September. Miller got injured but returned to score against Barnsley. He also scored in wins against Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest. Cardiff reached the 2012 Football League Cup Final, but they lost to Liverpool in a penalty shootout. He scored 10 goals in 43 appearances for Cardiff.

Playing in Major League Soccer

Kenny Miller Vancouver Whitecaps
Miller in his debut against the San Jose Earthquakes on 22 July 2012

On July 16, 2012, Miller signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer. He played his first game six days later. He scored his first goal for the Whitecaps on August 25, 2012. He signed an extension in July 2013. However, he left the club in May 2014.

Third Time at Rangers

On June 4, 2014, Miller signed for Rangers for a third time. He played his third debut against Hibernian on August 5. He scored his first goal since returning on August 30. Miller scored nine goals in 41 games in the 2014–15 season.

He signed another one-year contract extension in November 2015. On January 2, 2016, Miller became Rangers' oldest player to score a hat-trick in a 6–0 win against Dumbarton. He won the Scottish Championship player of the month award for January 2016. He scored in the 2016 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, which Rangers won 4–0. Rangers also won the Scottish Championship trophy. Miller ended the 2015–16 season with 21 goals. He scored his final goal in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final, which Rangers lost to Hibernian.

In the 2016–17 season, Miller scored his 100th goal for Rangers across his three spells. This was in a Scottish Premiership match. He also scored his tenth career goal in an Old Firm derby. On April 28, Miller signed a contract extension until 2018.

Miller scored the first goal of Rangers' 2017–18 season in the Europa League against Progrès Niederkorn. Rangers lost the game. Miller was dropped from the team in September 2017. He was brought back by caretaker manager Graeme Murty and scored two goals in his first game back.

In April 2018, Miller and teammate Lee Wallace were suspended by the club after an argument with manager Murty. Miller was fined and left the club when his contract ended. He made 301 appearances and scored 116 goals for Rangers across his three spells.

Later Playing Career

Miller became player-manager of Scottish Premiership club Livingston in June 2018. He scored his first goal for them on July 21. He left the role on August 19 because he wanted to keep playing, but the club wanted him to focus only on managing.

On August 29, 2018, Miller signed a two-year contract with Dundee. He scored five goals in three games, including a hat-trick, in December. Dundee finished last in the Premiership and were relegated. Miller left the club.

On June 26, 2019, Miller signed for Partick Thistle. He scored his first goal for them in the Scottish League Cup. Miller left Partick Thistle in January 2020, having scored 10 goals. He announced his retirement from playing football soon after.

International Career

Miller played for the Scotland U21 team, making his debut in March 2000. He played seven games and scored two goals for the U21 team.

Lucio and Kenny Miller 1
Miller (right) playing for Scotland against Lúcio of Brazil in March 2011

Miller made his first game for the senior Scotland national team on April 25, 2001. He came on as a substitute in a friendly match against Poland. He scored his first international goal in March 2003 against Iceland.

From then until his retirement in 2013, Miller was a regular player for Scotland. He scored important goals against teams like Germany and Ukraine. In 2005, he scored four goals in three international games.

Miller earned his 50th cap for Scotland in October 2010. He captained the team for the first time and scored against Northern Ireland on February 9, 2011. He continued to play for Scotland even when he moved to Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He scored in a 3–2 loss against England in August 2013. Miller scored 18 goals in 69 games for Scotland. He retired from international football shortly after the England match.

Coaching Career

In November 2016, while still playing for Rangers, Miller also took on a part-time coaching role with their Under-20 team. After leaving Rangers in 2018, he had a short time as player-manager for Livingston.

After retiring as a player in February 2020, Miller became a coach for the Australian club Newcastle Jets. He later followed his former manager to Western Sydney Wanderers as an assistant coach.

In December 2021, Miller became the assistant head coach for Scottish League One team Falkirk. He became the caretaker manager in April 2022 after the manager left. He stayed in this role until the end of the season.

On November 26, 2022, Miller joined EFL Championship team Huddersfield Town as a co-assistant coach. He left the club in February 2023.

As of 2025, Miller is an assistant coach for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hibernian 1997–98 Scottish Premier Division 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
1998–99 Scottish First Division 7 1 0 0 1 0 8 1
1999–2000 Scottish Premier League 31 11 5 1 2 1 38 13
Total 45 12 5 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 53 14
Stenhousemuir (loan) 1998–99 Scottish Third Division 11 8 2 2 0 0 13 10
Rangers 2000–01 Scottish Premier League 27 8 3 1 1 1 4 1 35 11
2001–02 Scottish Premier League 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Total 30 8 3 1 1 1 4 1 0 0 38 11
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2001–02 First Division 22 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 25 2
2002–03 First Division 43 19 4 3 2 1 3 1 52 24
2003–04 Premier League 25 2 3 2 2 1 30 5
2004–05 Championship 44 19 2 0 1 1 47 20
2005–06 Championship 35 10 2 0 2 2 39 12
Total 169 52 12 5 7 5 0 0 5 1 193 63
Celtic 2006–07 Scottish Premier League 31 4 4 1 1 0 8 3 44 8
2007–08 Scottish Premier League 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3
Total 33 7 4 1 1 0 8 3 0 0 46 11
Derby County 2007–08 Premier League 30 4 3 2 0 0 33 6
Rangers 2008–09 Scottish Premier League 30 10 5 3 1 0 2 0 38 13
2009–10 Scottish Premier League 33 18 6 2 1 1 5 0 45 21
2010–11 Scottish Premier League 18 21 0 0 1 0 6 1 25 22
Total 81 49 11 5 3 1 13 1 0 0 108 56
Bursaspor 2010–11 Süper Lig 15 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 5
Cardiff City 2011–12 Championship 43 10 0 0 5 1 2 0 50 11
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2012 MLS 13 2 0 0 1 0 14 2
2013 MLS 21 8 1 0 22 8
2014 MLS 9 3 0 0 0 0 10 3
Total 43 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 45 13
Rangers 2014–15 Scottish Championship 27 7 3 0 2 0 10 2 42 9
2015–16 Scottish Championship 32 14 6 2 2 1 3 4 43 21
2016–17 Scottish Premiership 37 11 4 3 6 0 47 14
2017–18 Scottish Premiership 18 3 2 0 1 1 2 1 23 5
Total 114 35 15 5 11 2 2 1 13 6 155 49
Livingston 2018–19 Scottish Premiership 2 0 0 0 5 1 7 1
Dundee 2018–19 Scottish Premiership 33 8 2 0 0 0 35 8
Partick Thistle 2019–20 Scottish Championship 21 5 2 0 6 3 3 2 32 10
Career total 670 216 60 22 42 15 27 6 24 9 823 268

International Appearances and Goals

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 2001 1 0
2002
2003 7 2
2004 9 0
2005 8 4
2006 4 3
2007 6 1
2008 5 1
2009 6 0
2010 5 1
2011 7 4
2012 7 1
2013 4 1
Total 69 18
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Miller goal.
List of international goals scored by Kenny Miller
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 March 2003 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Iceland 1–0 2–1 Euro 2004 qualification
2 7 June 2003  Germany 1–1 1–1
3 17 August 2005 Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadion, Graz, Austria  Austria 1–0 2–2 Friendly
4 3 September 2005 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Italy 1–0 1–1 2006 World Cup qualification
5 7 September 2005 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway  Norway 1–0 2–1
6 2–0
7 1 March 2006 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Switzerland 1–2 1–3 Friendly
8 2 September 2006 Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Faroe Islands 4–0 6–0 Euro 2008 qualification
9 6 September 2006 Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas, Lithuania  Lithuania 2–0 2–1
10 13 October 2007 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Ukraine 1–0 3–1
11 26 March 2008  Croatia 1–1 1–1 Friendly
12 7 September 2010  Liechtenstein 1–1 2–1 Euro 2012 qualification
13 9 February 2011 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland  Northern Ireland 1–0 3–0 2011 Nations Cup
14 25 May 2011  Wales 2–1 3–1
15 3 September 2011 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Czech Republic 1–0 2–2 Euro 2012 qualification
16 11 November 2011 Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus  Cyprus 1–0 2–1 Friendly
17 11 September 2012 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Macedonia 1–1 1–1 2014 World Cup Qualification
18 14 August 2013 Wembley Stadium, London, England  England 2–1 2–3 Friendly

Managerial Record

Team From To Record Ref.
G W D L Win %
Livingston 30 June 2018 19 August 2018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&042.86000042.86
Falkirk (caretaker) 14 April 2022 4 May 2022 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&033.33000033.33
Total &&&&&&&&&&&&&010.&&&&&010 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&040.&&&&&040.00

Awards and Achievements

Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Football League First Division play-offs: 2003 (won promotion)

Celtic

Rangers

  • Scottish Premier League: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
  • Scottish Championship: 2015–16 (second tier league)
  • Scottish Cup: 2008–09
  • Scottish League Cup: 2009–10
  • Scottish Challenge Cup: 2015–16

Cardiff City

Individual Awards

  • SPFA Young Player of the Year: 1999–2000
  • Scottish FA International Roll of Honour: 2010
  • Scottish Premier League Player of the Month: April 2010, August 2010, September 2010
  • Scottish Championship Player of the Month: January 2016
  • Scottish Premier League Golden Boot: 2010–11 (top scorer)
  • Rangers FC Supporters' Player of the Year: 2016–17
  • Rangers FC Players' Player of the Year: 2016–17
  • Rangers FC Goal of the Season: 2016–17

More About Kenny Miller

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kenny Miller para niños

kids search engine
Kenny Miller Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.