First signing

Last updated : 20 June 2018 By Paddock Pundit

United manager John Sheridan has made right back Gary Miller his first summer signing as the process of pulling his squad together begins in earnest ahead of next week’s return to pre-season training.

Glasgow-born Miller, 31, has made 338 career appearances, scoring five goals, and most recently played a big part in Plymouth’s League Two 2016/17 promotion winning campaign during his two-year stay at Home Park.

The experienced defender started his career with Livingston where he made over 40 appearances. He had loan spells with Ayr and Ross County during his time the Lions, with the move to Victoria Park becoming permanent as he went on to make over 100 appearances for the Staggies.

Spells with St Johnstone and Partick Thistle followed before he made the move south of the border to join Plymouth in the summer of 2016.

Manager John Sheridan said: “We’ve been speaking to Gary for a couple of weeks now and we’re very pleased that we’ve got him,” he said. “He has a good level of experience for this division, with what he did with Plymouth, and he had some good times up in the Premier League in Scotland as well.

“Being honest, I’m chuffed to bits that I’ve got him. In terms of the kind of person I’m looking to bring to this club he ticks the boxes and I think we’ve done well to get him here.

“He’s a very good, solid player and an excellent professional. I wanted to look for players who have been successful in this league and who know what the division is about. Again, he fits that bill.”

“He’s going to bring competition for places along the back line,” he continued. “I know we have players like Gary Liddle and Kieron Olsen, and some others, who can slot in at right back as well. It’ll be good for them all to be working and competing with each other.

“Having spoken to him I know he wants to be successful and he has the hunger and desire you want to see in someone when you’re asking them to pull on the shirt.

“It’s the first of the signings we needed to help us to start to build towards the squad we want to have together for what we hope will be a very enjoyable campaign. I want everyone fighting for places. I don’t want to see any complacency or players sitting in comfort zones.

“Like I say, he’s going to come in and help to keep others on their toes because I know he wants to be out there every week.”

“An added bonus for him and us is that he doesn’t live too far away from Carlisle,” he concluded. “I don’t think that’s been a deciding factor for him, but his family is Glasgow based and I’m sure it’ll be nice for them and him that he’s back in the area.”

Miller has signed a one-year contract [with an option] - as ever, the move remains subject to the clearance of all necessary paperwork.