Muller unaware of his reputation in Ireland

PATRICK Muller looks a little perplexed.

His displays in the heart of the Lyon defence, as they captured dramatically their first French league title last year, earned decent reviews in L’Equipe, but he never realised his steadily-rising profile had reached these shores.

Yet, here, Muller sits in the lobby of a Portmarnock hotel, amid several Irish journalists, giving a brief assessment of Damien Duff and Robbie Keane as he prepares to replace Stephane Henchoz at the heart of the Swiss defence.