Liam Miller Bio Send To Friend  

Miller's fellow Corkman, Roy Keane, has long seen the potential of Miller, but in 2006/07, became the first man to really harness his potential since his move south of the border.

However, during Sunderland's first season back in the Premier League the relationship soured and Miller was placed on the transfer list due to a 'lack of discipline' and 'poor timekeeping' - basically turning up late for training.

Keane's departure made no difference and in January 2009 he was loaned to Queens Park Rangers, seemingly signaling the end of his Sunderland career.

Miller played alongside Keane at Manchester United after joining them on a Bosman free transfer from Celtic in July 2004. Keane signed his fellow man of the rebel county after United released him on a free transfer.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder had impressed Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson after breaking into the first team at Parkhead in the 2003/04 season.

Celtic had been hoping to secure Miller in the long term by offering a lucrative deal. But negotiations dragged on and with his contract expiring used the Bosman ruling to his advantage.

Bhoys boss Martin O'Neill had been cautious with Miller due to his injury record in previous seasons. But his rise to prominence was confirmed when he was named in the Republic squad for the home friendly with Canada on November 18.

Miller first attracted the attention of Celtic when playing for his local side in Ovens, County Cork, and moved in Scotland in 1997. His Celtic debut came in a 2-0 home win over Dundee United on the last day of the 1999/2000 season.

A regular in Brian Kerr's underage squads, Celtic rated him highly and sent him on loan to Danish side Aarhus in 2001 for experience.

By then he was a regular in the Under-21 side which he eventually went on to captain, while he also forced his way into the Celtic first team and became a huge favourite with the fans.

Miller played in all Celtic's Champions League matches, scoring three times in the process. He also picked up an SPL winners' medal.

The player made just 44 appearances for Celtic, scoring five goals.

United hoped to have unearthed the new Roy Keane, and Miller made his debut in the 2-1 Champions League qualifying victory at Dinamo Bucharesti - creating the winner.

But Miller failed to establish himself in the United side, featuring in only eight Premiership games in 2004/05.

And after another disappointing start to 2005/06, he was loaned to Championship side Leeds United in November, a deal which was extended to run until the end of the season after an impressive start. He played in Leeds' losing play-off final appearance but returned to Old Trafford in the summer of 2006.

It was obvious that his future lay elsewhere and Keane made an unexpected move for the midfielder, whose skills finally found a home at the Stadium of Light.

He made 30 appearances in their promotion campaign, scoring two goals, including a vital strike that derailed Derby County in February.

His best moment for Sunderland in the Premier League came when he scored an 89th minute goal in the 125th Tees-Wear derby against Middlesbrough.