Houston full of praise for Miller

Scotland assistant manager Peter Houston has backed Kenny Miller to bounce back from his Carling Cup final misery and continue being an integral part of the national team during the 2014 World Cup campaign.

The former Rangers and Celtic striker missed a good chance to win the cup for Malky Mackay's Cardiff in the 88th minute before hitting the post with his penalty in the shootout defeat by Liverpool. But the 32-year-old remained eager to join up with Scotland the day after the Wembley defeat along with team-mate Don Cowie.

Houston admired Miller's enthusiasm ahead of Wednesday's friendly in Slovenia and believes the forward is improving with age without losing his fitness. And he said: "The heartening thing was hearing that Kenny and Don were both desperately keen still to come."

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