Miller facing another blow
Oct 15 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
LIAM Miller is facing another disappointment in what he sees as “a defining season” in his career with Giovanni Trapattoni set to overlook the 27-year-old and team-mate Andy Reid for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Cyprus at Croke Park.
Another injury to Steven Reid offered the Sunderland pair the opportunity of a rare start under the Italian, but Trapattoni will opt for youth over experience.
Manchester United reserve Darron Gibson will form a youthful central midfield combination with Glenn Whelan. The pair have seven senior caps between them and neither are regulars in their club sides.
It is another blow to Miller, who feels the current campaign could be make-or-break time for him. “It’s a massive season for me personally to be honest,” said Miller. “I need to be playing football. It’s a really big season for myself. Do I think it will define me as a footballer? I think so, yeah.” It looked as though last season could have been the ex-Manchester United and Celtic midfielder’s last at the Stadium of Light after he was transfer-listed for persistent unpunctuality. He has impressed manager Roy Keane with his attitude since and has been taken off the list. “I’ve got my head down and just trained hard,” he said .
“I managed to get back in for the Aston Villa game this season. If you’re not playing regularly, you’re not enjoying it. It’s been quite hard, not playing week in, week out. But, to be fair, I missed most of the pre-season. I need games.” Gibson, 20, was born in Northern Ireland but qualifies for the Republic as a result of the Good Friday Agreement, which brought peace to Ulster. His only “first-team” appearance this season came as a substitute in the League Cup, but Trapattoni has no qualms about selecting him.
“If he is serene and not worried, he will play,” he confirmed. “I want to try him out because he could work very, very well in midfield in the future.”
Gibson’s six-foot frame appears was instrumental in his selection. “The first reason is his height, the second is he plays with confidence,” said Trapattoni. “He doesn’t play very often, but he plays for Manchester United, and Manchester United are a very important team.
“He is confident on the ball. He plays the easy ball and looks before the ball comes.
“We are missing Steven Reid and his physical aspect. Robbie Keane is not big, but springs well, and Kevin Doyle also. But Aiden McGeady is little, Damien Duff is little. In international football, teams score from high balls.”
Paul McShane, on loan at Hull City from Sunderland, is set to replace the injured Steve Finnan. Meanwhile, Helsingborg have confirmed they were interested in re-signing former striker Rade Prica from Sunderland last summer, and hinted they would be again.
One player interested in staying on Wearside is Djibril Cissé, on loan from Marseille. “Everyone seems satisfied,” he said of his second spell in English football.
“As Sunderland did their best to get the buying option, I believe they have an idea. I would like to settle and stop moving. I want to stay, grow and experience something strong with one club.”
