A Blackpool postcard for Miller

seasiders ask lee if he wishes he were there as signing bid for aberdeen striker is stepped up

By Michael Gannon

Published:

English Championship side Blackpool have revived their bid to sign Aberdeen attacker Lee Miller.

The Seasiders attempted to recruit the 24-year-old in January but their bid was labelled derisory.

That has not deterred Blackpool and they will step up their efforts.

Miller has yet to make a decision on the new contract on offer at Pittodrie and Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood wants an answer sooner rather than later.

The forward, who is available without a fee under freedom of contract, is assessing his options and is attracting interest from several English and Scottish clubs.

It is understood Miller has made it clear he is reluctant to join another SPL side and is only considering offers from outside Scotland.

Calderwood is keen to press ahead with his own plans for next term, with Dundee United’s Mark Kerr remaining high on his wanted list.

The Dons are one of six clubs interested but may be put off by the midfielder’s wage demands.

Former St Johnstone forward Keigan Parker is another potential target, having been linked with the Dons. Parker left Blackpool yesterday with 11 other players as they begin rebuilding for next season.

The 26-year-old’s contract expired at the end of the season and he rejected the offer of a new deal earlier in the year. The attacker had been linked with moves to Nottingham Forest and Swansea but interest from both clubs has dimmed following their promotion to the Championship.

A proposed move to Barnsley was abandoned in January as the Tykes failed to meet Parker’s wage demands, but the Yorkshire club could yet make another approach.

Parker spent four seasons at the Lancashire club, scoring 41 goals in his first three seasons at Bloomfield Road.

He scored in Blackpool’s play-off final against Yeovil last season to help clinch a place in the Championship but has been limited in his appearances this season, failing to score in just 14 starts. Parker’s departure, with two other forwards, has cleared the way for another move for Miller.

Meanwhile, a late equaliser from Dave Bus salvaged a point for the Dons reserves against Falkirk at Linlithgow Rose.

The home side took the lead five minutes before the break when a Paul Sludden free kick from the edge of the box flew past keeper Greg Kelly.

That goal looked to be enough to clinch the points until, with just two minutes remaining, an Aberdeen free kick was only half cleared to Zander Diamond on the right.

The defender, who misses this weekend’s clash at Motherwell through suspension, sent in a pinpoint cross that was headed home by Busfrom close range.