O’Neill: Miller can still play his part

CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill insists outward-bound midfielder Liam Miller still has an important role to play for the Parkhead club before he leaves for Manchester United at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old Irishman upset the Celtic faithful when he signed a pre-contract for the Old Trafford club in January, and after sustaining a groin injury it was thought he had played his last game for the Hoops.

But because of injuries and suspensions in O’Neill’s squad, fit-again Miller made a substitute appearance in the Nou Camp against Barcelona to help Celtic battle through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

And with Alan Thompson and Jackie McNamara carrying knocks over from Spain, Miller could find himself in O’Neill’s side for tomorrow’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

The Hoops boss is confident if the talented midfielder does appear, then the Celtic fans will get behind him in the same way they did in Barcelona.

“As I’ve mentioned before, we’re all disappointed that Liam’s going to be leaving at the end of the season, but he wants to play games,” said O’Neill.

“But contrary to what some people might think, I have not got a problem playing him. Whatever reaction he’ll get from the Celtic fans I think Liam will be able to cope with it.”

Celtic travel to Ibrox with a massive 16-point lead over their rivals and O’Neill accepts victory tomorrow would allow his battle-weary troops some domestic breathing space for the rest of the season.

He said: “We’re pretty tired, but I think by Sunday we’ll be right for the game, we’ll get ourselves tuned into it and if we can go and win then it puts it down to a couple of games from us winning the title.”