Himself a former Scotland international and top flight striker, Lee Miller gets goosebumps thinking about how good his son Lennon is.

Miller Sr expects his boy, 18, to quit Motherwell in this transfer window and head for foreign shores. He predicts that will be a first step on his path to the top of the game.

The former Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hearts striker knew from an early stage that young Lennon had bags of ability. To reinforce that, he was continually told he had something "special" under his own roof.

After two seasons as a leading star in the Motherwell team despite his tender years, which has included captaining them at Hampden, Miller Jr is also now a full Scotland international.

He has been continually linked with a move away over the past year or so and his dad thinks the time for that to become a reality is upon us.

“I think so, yeah," he admitted. "There's a lot of interest in Lennon. I go on Twitter and it's a new club every day. 

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“In terms of bids going in for him, there's nothing went in this summer. 

“There were a few bids in January and the valuation of Lennon wasn't met, so it's one of those ones we'll just wait.

“Lennon's on holiday now, he's chilling out, just relaxing, ready for the season coming ahead but who knows where that'll be. No idea.”

He would like to see the precocious teen go somewhere where he will continue to play games. But both seem to prefer the idea of that being abroad, despite interest from England and Scotland.

“Yeah. His preferable choice would be abroad," Lee said.

“He’s not just going to go to a club for the sake of it. It needs to have the right environment, it needs to have the right manager, the right club.

“Lennon’s not bothered with the money side of things, that'll come. Obviously it's a short career and you need to earn money.

“But he wants to go and progress his career and then kick on again. So we'll see. I don't know what that'll be. But it needs to be a place where he can then grow again.”

Miller took plenty from his Scotland experienceMiller took plenty from his Scotland experience (Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group)

One player Miller can take inspiration from is fellow Scotland star Scott McTominay, now a Serie A champion with Napoli and the league's MVP a year after moving out to Italy from Manchester United.

The pair bonded on international duty and Miller Sr likes the idea of his son picking things up from players of that ilk.

He really liked his time away and I think Scott McTominay took a shine to him and he kind of rubbed shoulders with him bounced ideas off of him and played alongside him," explained the former Falkirk boss.

“Billy (Gilmour) was great for him as well and I think the both of them Billy and Lennon complemented each other in the game although everybody will say it's Liechtenstein.

“It wouldn't have mattered who Lennon played against in that game, he plays the same way.

“And that's a credit to him because a lot of young players go in and they shy away from it or they try something different away from their game.

“It was mad because he looked so creative. That's just the way he plays, watching him from very, very young and he just plays as if he was playing in the playground. He’s very coachable and has an understanding of the game and what needs done.

Teaming up with McTominay and Gilmour in Naples though? Dad isn't so sure.

That's because he wants to see Lennon make the move somewhere he will continue to play lots of games and keep his development going in an upward trajectory.

“But that's the thing, would he play there?," he asked. "I don't know if he would.

“That's alright saying 'Napoli's an incredible club, they've got amazing players.' But that's when you need to look at where do you fit in to that, there needs to be a space that he fits in and is able to flourish and able to progress.

“That all comes down to pathways. Lewis Ferguson could have gone somewhere else and not been a starter and yes you can you can graft away and become that. But there needs to be an actual visual pathway for a player to do that."

Asked if he has been surprised by his son's rapid development, Miller Sr added: “Yes and no. I was told from a very early age he's special. I get goosebumps talking about it. 

“Lennon’s had a lot went on in his life. He's had a lot to deal with. But he's always had football as a release from everything.

“So I'm surprised how quickly it happened. But I always kind of knew his qualities. He’s destined for the top, in my opinion.