Lee Miller insists claiming promotion with Falkirk would be the crowning moment of his career.
The veteran striker has claimed one “bitter-sweet” league title with the Bairns, firing his boyhood heroes to the old First Division crown in 2002/03, only for the SPL board to deny their request to groundshare with Airdrie in the following campaign and rob them of promotion.
Miller, who turned 34 yesterday, departed during that galling close-season to embark on a fine career which would see him star for the likes of United, Bristol City, Middlesbrough and Aberdeen, winning three caps for Scotland along the way.
However, the fact he never got a crack at the top-flight with his beloved Bairns remains an itch he is desperate to scratch.
After rejoining the club last summer, the striker was part of a Falkirk side that fell at the final hurdle, capitulating at Kilmarnock in the Premiership play-off final; their 1-0 aggregate lead after the first leg becoming a 4-1 deficit in the space of 90 miserable minutes.
So he is a man on a mission as they seek to finish the job against his old club tonight and get another crack at the top-flight against either Inverness or Hamilton.
“It would be one of the crowning moments of my career to go up with Falkirk – 100%,” said Miller.
“I still remember that disappointment when I was a young kid.
“We won the league at a canter and then weren’t able to go up.
“It was bitter-sweet and I had to move on soon after.
“It was devastating at the time, so it would be up with my best moments in football to get promotion this time.
“I hope this is the season it all comes together.
“We’ve a tremendous squad with so much experience and game-changers. We lacked that strength in depth last season and injuries caught up on us but, 12 months on, we are fresh and raring to go.”
Falkirk are in the driving seat following a breathless 2-2 draw at Tannadice on Tuesday, given the Bairns have defeated the Tangerines twice at home this season with an aggregate score of 6-1.
Miller has dismissed the notion that United are better equipped for a return to the top-flight.
“We have been dominant in the United games here but the play-offs are different,” added Miller.
“They won’t be worrying about that. If it is an advantage, we will take it but the main thing is we’re recovered and ready to go.
“A lot of people are saying ‘we want Dundee United back in the top flight’ but we’ve got everything here.
“Falkirk are a big club, too, and all the facilities are here.
“We’ve got the fans, the stadium, the training facilities, a new gym – everything is structured towards Falkirk being a Premiership club.”
