Miller starts Hibs reign with clash against champs

After the national team's opening commitments in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers dominated the local sporting agenda for much of the past 10 days, the spotlight will again fall on domestic football this weekend as the BOV Premier League resumes with a five-match programme.

The pick of the fixtures is undoubtedly Monday's clash between champions Valletta and current leaders Hibernians who, for the first time this season, will be under the guidance of new coach Mark Miller. The Englishman officially took over the reins of the Paolites on Monday after ending his association with the Malta U-21 team following their final European qualifier in France (0-5) yesterday week.

Miller has returned for a second spell at Hibs after he had served as player-coach and then full-time coach in the late 90s.

"I was part of the MFA's national team set up for the past eight years and although it was a very positive experience, I missed the day-to-day challenge of coaching a club," Miller told The Times yesterday.

"For the past three months, I have been observing things from the outside at Hibernians and I feel that we have started the campaign with a very competitive squad. The three foreign players that we have chosen have been great additions as they are helping the younger players to develop and mature while the other senior members of the squad have also been positive about the new signings.

"Now the real business for me starts here. The team have done extremely well so far, winning the opening two matches. Hopefully we can continue the good work against Valletta."

Miller described Hibs' encounter with the team he rates as the best on the island as the ideal barometer to measure his side's potential and their competitiveness.

"Valletta are a very strong team and the additions they made this summer have made their squad even more formidable," Miller said.

"In the first two matches against Msida and Qormi, our team played really well but now we are facing the first real test of the season and I'm really keen to see how my players will perform. I believe this match will give us the best indication as to how far we can go this season.

"If the result is positive, it will give us a good psychological lift to try and keep our consistency throughout the season. In case of a defeat, it would only fill us with more motivation to see where our weaknesses are and to reach the level needed to challenge for honours."

Miller must cope without striker Andrew Cohen who is still sidelined with a groin problem. Jonathan Caruana and Jonathan Pearson have suffered minor setbacks in their recovery from injuries and are unlikely to be part of the squad.

Paul Zammit, Miller's counterpart at Valletta, has no injury problems for the match as the national team players reported back for training with the club with no physical complaints.

Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg has completed his rehabilitation from an ankle injury but Zammit has yet to decide whether to include his no.1 goalkeeper in his 18-man squad.

The champions have been through two difficult tests in their opening matches, drawing 1-1 with Sliema Wanderers before beating Marsaxlokk 2-0 prior to the international break.

For Zammit, the match against Hibs is another tough assignment for his troops and he expects them to approach it fully focused.

"Hibs will be another difficult hurdle for us," Zammit said.

"When a club makes changes to its technical staff, the early impact on the team's play is normally positive and this has certainly been the case for Hibs.

"In their first appearances of the season, they have displayed some great attacking football and we certainly have to be cautious.

"I have always had great admiration for Hibs.

"They have some very talented youngsters and with a new coach in charge, the players will be more motivated to show that they deserve their place in the team.

"However, we are also passing through a positive spell and I expect my players to approach this match with the usual caution but with a determination to put up a strong showing and emerge with the three points."