The Scot scored the only goal of the game in the 39th minute to sink Newcastle and move Billy Davies' team above Bolton.

And he told Setanta afterwards: "It's a dream start - it's great to get our first win and I think we deserve it.

"The lads worked hard and it was a massive team effort."

Miller was part of the Scottish team who scored a 1-0 win over France in their Euro 2008 qualifying match in Paris last week.

And the striker continued: "It was a massive result in France - and it was very similar to tonight.

"We had to defend well and nick a goal - the lads at the back were fantastic tonight."

Team-mate Stephen Pearson added: "It was a great strike by Kenny - getting that goal was a big help for us.

"We defended well, it was a good team effort and I think we were worth it. Hopefully we can kick on from here."

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Derby boss Davies was delighted with the victory and felt the performance merited the win.

"I've said all along it will take time," Davies told Setanta Sports 1.

"In the last few years we've not started particularly well and it's been the same this season.

"We had good pace, moved the ball around very well, created a lot of chances and thoroughly got what we deserved tonight."

Of Miller's performance, Davies said: "He works extremely hard, he's got that threat with his pace and finishing.

"I felt all week the pulse was coming back and the players were looking more like themselves. I felt it was a matter of time until we produced a performance like we did tonight.

"Now we're up and running and there is an awful lot of hard work ahead of us."

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