OTHER SPORT

MILLER: BERRA WEARS HIS HEARTS ON HIS SLEEVE

Saturday August 11,2007

By Jim McLean

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LEE Miller was always certain that Christophe Berra had the stature to become a future captain of Hearts.

The striker saw the teenage defender being groomed for leadership by Steven Pressley in the six months he spent on loan at Tynecastle.

It was no surprise to the Dons star that Berra was handed the armband after the departure of Craig Gordon to Sunderland in a record-breaking deal to Sunderland.

But Miller has set his sights on ruining Berra’s first day as official Jambos’ skipper tomorrow by firing Aberdeen to a win at Pittodrie. "I always thought Christophe had what was needed to be Hearts’ captain one day because his attitude was always spot on during my time at Tynecastle.

"You could see that he was a leader on the park and was a positive influence about the place off the park as well.

"There’s no doubt in my mind that he will do well in the role after seeing him get chances in the top team a few times when I was there.

"He may have been a bit younger than a lot of the others but he was always a dominant figure like Big Elvis at the back.

"Steven Pressley helped him a lot and Christophe can’t have helped but learn alongside one of the great Hearts captains.

"Elvis’s leadership qualities were excellent and that has shown the way for someone who will hopefully do just as well in the years ahead.

"Of course the first priority for me is to go out and ruin his first game since officially taking over because Aberdeen comes first for me now.”