Pedro Caixinha wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not striker Kenny Miller would return to the squad for Friday’s tie against St Johnstone.
Meeting with the media yesterday to discuss the upcoming game now the October international break is in the past, Caixinha told Sky Sports that there was no problem between him and Miller, but simply a decision had been made, it was accepted, people move on and he’ll decide on a return when it works for him.
Having been omitted from the squad that took a four one victory over Hamilton Accies following ‘strong words’ being shared after the defeat to Celtic, Caixinha explained that he had a small knock at the moment but the 37 year old remained ‘one of ours.’
‘Kenny is one of our players from the squad like all the others. All of them have the same respect and behaviour from our side. But I’m the manager. I decide the players who will start the game, I decide the players that are going to be in the squad. Kenny is definitely one of ours and, like all the others, it depends on my decision.’
He went on to add when questioned about how Miller had reacted to being dropped.
‘With full respect. He’s a senior player, he understands things. We spoke, we clarify everything regarding those decisions, because sometimes it’s important for you to justify the decisions. Other times I don’t have to justify anything. But we clarified everything and, as I told you, he’s one of ours.’
Asked specifically about inclusion for Friday evening, Caixinha revealed the small knock he picked up in training, but wasn’t giving anything away.
‘We still have training tomorrow (Thursday). To be honest, he felt something today in training. I don’t think it’s going to be anything major. Tomorrow we will have the squad and we will see if he’s on the list or not. It’s my decision if he will be on the list or not.’
