Simon Weaver on the impact of new signing Calvin Miller and why he opted to make four changes for Harrogate Town's clash with Bolton Wanderers

Former Glasgow Celtic winger Calvin Miller made his debut for Harrogate Town in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The 22-year-old made his first appearance for the club against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, less than four hours after he was unveiled as a Town player.

Miller started on the left-hand side of midfield and produced some dangerous moments, drawing a good first-half save out of Trotters goalkeeper Billy Crellin before setting up George Thomson to score the hosts' only goal of the afternoon.

"I thought Calvin did well," Harrogate boss Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser.

Dan Jones was handed his first start in Town colours when the Trotters visited the Keepmoat Stadium.

"He played with a bit of spark and he's also a worker, you can see already, if he gives the ball away he'll chase it and try and get it back.

"He looked strong, he drove forward well and provided an excellent assist for our goal - it was a good pull-back and that's what you see from quality players.

"He seemed to have that time on the ball just to pick the right option. To say that he hasn't played with us before and has only had a week in training, he did really well. It's great to get a natural left-footer out there.

"He'll be a good addition."

Miller was one of four changes to the Town starting line-up from the side that drew 0-0 with Port Vale in their previous League Two outing.

The former Scotland youth international replaced Brendan Kiernan out wide, while first-choice goalkeeper James Belshaw took over from Joe Cracknell between the sticks following a spell on the sidelines with a thumb injury.

Elsewhere, Dan Jones assumed Warren Burrell's role at left-back and Connor Kirby started in the midfield engine room in place of Lloyd Kerry, with Weaver revealing that he felt a couple of his players needed a "breather".

He added: "People did need a rest. We've seen Jack Muldoon get injured, probably because of overuse. We probably needed to learn from that and I think we have done.

"We've got to look after players. We're straight off the back of promotion, a couple of weeks break then straight back into it. It's been a heavy workload for some.

"Warren deserved a breather. He played 50 games last year, 50 games the year before. He's had no breather at all.

"He's such an honest and loyal servant and you've got to look after these players because he's not an asset if he is injured and pulls up with something.

"At the same time, we know he can play in midfield and at right-back, we needed to know what we've got with Dan."

Jones' start was his first for Harrogate since arriving on a season-long loan deal from Salford City last month.

"Everyone can see, he's comfortable on the ball. He's got a massive throw," Weaver said of the 25-year-old full-back.

"He can only get sharper because of his lack of game-time, but you can see what he's got."