Liam Miller Hoping for Glory in Perth

Miller during a happier moment at Sunderland

Almost seven years ago to the month Liam Miller arrived at Old Trafford from Celtic heralded as a potential long term replacement for fellow Cork man Roy Keane at Manchester United, having left Scotland much against the will of his manager in Glasgow, Martin O’Neill – himself viewed at one time as possible replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson. As the passing years have shown, neither of the predictions coming to pass. 

Liam Miller this week the 30 year old moves to Perth Glory having failed to fulfil that promise at United years ago, Martin O’Neill is out of the game, have fallen out with the owners at Aston Villa last season; Roy Keane made at an appearance in the recent Champions League final, albeit on ITV as a pundit, after losing his job at Ipswich Town. Only Sir Alex Ferguson remains in-situ and secured a record 19th Premier League title this season 

However one thing Ferguson still has not found though, and was hoping Miller was the answer, is the solution to the ‘Roy Keane problem’ even today. 

The likes of Miller, Alan Smith, or the foreign signings Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson were relative failures at Old Trafford too as Sir Alex sought a player to fill the hole left by his former captain. One of the more recent recruits the - £18million Owen Hargreaves — saw his chance end with numerous knee problems, with Darron Gibson the latest hope. In terms of size Gibson has a better chance than Liam Miller, as at 6ft 2in he is offers a physical presence in the way Keane did, and able to pack a powerful shot when required. 

But only time will tell. 

During his first season at United, Miller found first-team opportunities rare towards the end of the 2004–05 season and during his entire stint at the club made only 22 first-team appearances. The closest he got to Roy Keane was in 2006 when he joined Sunderland, after a long spell in 2005 on loan to Leeds United. Although Miller made 57 appearances for the Black Cats but in February 2008 Keane placed the Ballincollig man on the transfer list. 

It was at Sunderland, then in the Championship, where Keane chose to launch his managerial career, agreeing at the same time to join up with the club's new chairman, Niall Quinn, .It was a curious twist in events as the two players had been on opposing sides of the row in Saipan, the Pacific island where Republic of Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy, chose to take his team for some rest before the start of the 2002 Word Cup in Korea and Japan. The incident in the Irish camp led to Keane returning home early and not playing in the  world cup.

This week Liam Miller has signed a two year contract with Australian club Perth Glory who play in the Hyundai A-League. 

At International level Miller made 21 appearances for the Republic of Ireland.