Kerr gives Miller, Reid first caps
Miller and Reid are in a squad of 23 players named by manager Brian Kerr, which sees a return for Southampton's utility man Rory Delap, who has not played for the Republic since the scoreless draw with Greece in Athens on November 20 last year.
Skipper Kenny Cunningham returns after a one-match ban that kept him out of the 2-0 defeat in the Group 10 Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland in Basle last month.
West Ham striker David Connolly and Everton midfielder Lee Carsley are ruled out by injuries and Aston Villa midfielder Mark Kinsella is rested.
Celtic star Miller, scorer of one of the goals in the 3-0 Champions League victory over Anderlecht at Parkhead, seems destined for a lengthy international career.
"Like Andy Reid, this is an opportunity to look at players like Miller," said Kerr. "Martin O'Neill, his boss at Celtic, has used him sparingly this season.
"But I know Miller from his days playing for the Irish youth teams and know that he is a level-headed lad. He won't be phased by all the publicity, although we know the potential is there."
Meanwhile, Martin O'Neill is confident Miller will sign a bumper new contract but he is not expecting the negotiations to come to a quick conclusion.
The 22-year-old midfielder gave his agent more bargaining power with an outstanding performance against Anderlecht on Wednesday, which was rewarded with a call-up to the Ireland squad.
That is why the Celtic boss is not expecting an agreement to be made soon, although he is optimistic that Miller will sign a new deal before his present one expires in the summer.
"We spoke with his agent yesterday," revealed O'Neill. "He came over especially from Dublin, which was great timing for Liam because he is playing terrifically. He's going to be a big player for us with a wee bit of luck. I have been encouraged by what I've seen, and I am sure we can come to some sort of agreement.
"He deserves it as well because he has played terrific and he is a great lad as well. We would like to get things resolved from our own viewpoint as quickly as possible, but these things take time."
Miller looks likely to miss today's Bank of Scotland Premier League encounter with Dunfermline at Parkhead because of a hamstring strain.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND squad: Given (Newcastle), Murphy (West Brom), Colgan (Stockport), Harte (Leeds), Finnan (Liverpool), O'Shea (Man Utd), Carr (Tottenham), Cunningham (Birmingham), Breen (Sunderland), O'Brien (Newcastle), S Reid (Blackburn), Healy (Sunderland), Holland (Charlton), Miller (Celtic), Delap (Southampton), Kavanagh (Cardiff), McPhail (Nottm For), Kilbane (Everton), A Reid (Nottm For), Duff (Chelsea), Doherty (Tottenham), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Birmingham).
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