Miller Time due to come around again

Liam Mackey

"A dream come true," is how he describes a career which has seen him swap the green and white hoops of Glasgow Celtic for the red of Manchester United, the two clubs he supported as a boy. At Celtic last season he caught the eye with memorable performances in the Champions League and SPL, doing more than enough to secure his senior international call-up and a move to Old Trafford. The headline writers (and a certain brewing company) had a field day - from Wednesday to Saturday, it seemed to be Miller Time all the time.

But this season the player has come up against some of the harsher realities of football, injuries and a battle for a place in United's congested midfield creating bumps in his career path. During the summer he underwent a groin operation and, more recently, there was the torn calf muscle which forced him to withdraw from Ireland's opening two games in the World Cup. In Dublin for the announcement of a sponsorship deal with Puma, and with just five days to go to Le Crunch in Paris, his state of fitness is top of the agenda before he heads off to link up with Brian Kerr's squad for training in Malahide.

"I had the operation in the summer and got a few niggles after that but now I feel fine, 100%," he says. "It's unfortunate to pick up an injury at any time but mine came along early in the season and it's hard to get back in the United side with the quality that's there. The other side of the quality they have is that I'm learning from these players every day." Including, of course fellow Corkonian Roy Keane. "He's been to good to me, to be fair, but it's a pleasure just playing with all these guys."

But it's not as if Miller is wet behind the ears. After signing a pre-contract agreement with United, he had to contend with the vocal annoyance of some Celtic fans who accused him of disloyalty and worse. The player just got on with it, concentrating on his game. "It was okay, it didn't always help but it's just part of football," he says. Now, he is learning the value of patience." I wanted to get the injury right and I feel I really have it right now," he says. "So it's a question of working hard in training and hope that it pays off when the time comes"

Added perspective comes with contemplation of his former Celtic colleague Colin Healy's latest serious injury setback at Sunderland.

"It was a terrible one," says Miller. "Colin has not had much luck lately. I was gutted when I heard about, I couldn't really believe it. I've spoken to him about it. I believe he's got a cast on the leg - it's a crack in the bone - and I don't think it's as bad as it might have been but we're still talking about him being out for six to nine months. That's this season over for him. I hope he recovers quickly."

Though he has featured a number of times on the right, Miller admits that central midfield is his preferred position and, indeed, when he was signed from Celtic, it was there that Alex Ferguson told him he wanted him to play in the long-term. "I feel I've more to give in the centre to be honest," he says, "but then again I'd play left or right-back if given a chance."

The departure of Nicky Butt for Newcastle has scarcely eased the intense competition for places in United's central midfield, the queue of prospective candidates having recently been joined by Miller's Irish colleague John O'Shea. "I'd seen John play there before and he's done brilliant since he's been moved in there, he's really looked comfortable," says Miller. "Fair play to him, I think you could throw him in anywhere - throw him in goal even - and he'd still do well for you. He's very flexible."

Similarly, at international level, Miller has seen the likes of Andy Reid make first-team progress while he was out nursing his injuries. "Andy has done smashing, brilliant," he says. "He got his chance and took it. I'd like to think I could have done the same."

Whether he gets that chance in Paris will be entirely up to Kerr, he says but having felt "gutted" at missing the Cyrpus and France games, this is one he'd clearly love to play in. "We all know the players they have. It ain't going to be easy. People are talking about getting a draw but we'll be going for a win."

Whether it happens on Saturday or not, rest assured it won't be long before Miller Time comes around again.