INTERVIEW: He demanded the best
Former-United striker Lee Miller on the appointment of Steven Pressley
Amy Nixon
@LeeMillerScotia
Former-United favourite Lee Miller played with new manager Steven Pressley during the 2004/05 season when the popular Scot went on loan to Hearts from Bristol City.
The big forward, who scored 32 goals in his 98 appearances for United, admitted to having a huge amount of respect for the Jambos' skipper from the moment he walked through the door at Tynecastle Park.
Speaking this week, he said: "Carlisle have got a good man there because he's a winner. First and foremost he wanted to get the best out of his players.
"He was the captain at Hearts when I went there on loan as a young boy. He had a bit of a fear factor, and I think he's got that as a manager, even though he's a really good guy.
"He'll definitely get the best out his players, he'll squeeze every last inch out of them, which will only be a good thing. That's what I noticed when he was my captain, he wanted the absolute best out of every player. He demanded the best.
"He's a real leader, and he gets the best out of everybody. The way he speaks to people, the demands he puts on his players, it just makes you want to do your best for him.
"I played against his teams whilst he was manager of Falkirk, as well as playing against him as a player, and he always has everybody well drileld and organised."
"I think he'll thrive as manager at United," he commented. "The club are in a great position and he'll relish that.
"He's got a strong mind and he's a strong character, he'll come across well in the media and he'll play some nice football. I think it's exciting times for Carlisle fans.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve and I think he'll put that across to his players. I think the fans down there will like that, and if he can get the best out of his players that will only be a good thing for the club."
Having seen him up close as a club captain, he said: "You could tell when he was a player that he was going to go into management because of the attributes he had on the pitch.
"It doesn't surprise me one bit that he's become a manager and I'm sure he'll be a success at Brunton Park.
"I always keep an eye on Carlisle's results, they've been doing well this season and hopefully Steven will continue that and help get the promotion the fans deserve.
"Looking at it, it seems like the perfect fit between club and manager. I think he'll thrive on it and it's a really good appointment. As soon as I saw it I looked and thought it was a really good appointment, and it really would be great to see the club get promoted."