Scottish Premier League club Motherwell's manager Steven Hammell has spoken out about top-level English and Scottish clubs going after young midfielder Lennon Miller but insists he's heard nothing about Newcastle United's interest.
Miller became the club's youngest ever player last month when Motherwell beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle on August 31 in a 4-0 win in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.
The youth international has made nine appearances for Scotland U-17s and once scored a goal from the halfway line against England for the U-16s at the age of just 14.
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When asked about Newcastle's interest in the youngster, Hammell explained: "I've not heard anything but I think every team in Scotland, England and even beyond will know of Lennon because of the player he is.
"We've had a number of approaches for Lennon over the last five or six years from all these teams in England and Scotland, and I know this because I was in control of that.
"So it's nothing new for him. Have we had an approach for him now? No. Will that probably come one day? Potentially. But he understands and we understand he has a long way to go."
He went on to talk about how the youngster will develop ahead of what is certain to be a bidding war amongst multiple clubs for the 16-year-old's services.
"He is just at the start of the next level of his development and nothing is a problem for him. He is the most humble boy you will meet. He just gets on with it.
"He has been training with the first team every day and he will play a part in the first team this season. He will probably play with the 18s on Friday, just to continue his minutes. We will progress him at a rate where he will get better, but also safely."
Hammell added that he hopes to see young players like Miller stay for longer instead of leaving for bigger clubs to help their development.
"Every year we would have offers and compensation packages to speak to certain players at different age groups. It is still happening to this day and that is just the nature of it.
"It is going to happen more often in Scotland especially from teams in England and it is something we sell quite passionately to our younger players.
"That is in terms of: 'Yeah you might go there and you might progress and it is a great opportunity, for sure, but stay here, try and become a first team player, get some minutes, exposure to the first team and then the likes of these teams come in for you as a first team player.'
"That is our whole 'sell' and I feel like that is the best model to follow."
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