It is amazing how you publish a picture of someone in a Manchester United shirt and suddenly the impression is they must be a good player. This was the case on Saturday when such a picture was printed next to the story that Liam Miller had signed for Perth Glory.
There is no doubt that Liam Miller was a huge talent as a youngster, when signed by Celtic and that was why Manchester United snapped him up when his contract expired, but has he fulfilled that talent, and is he a good signing for Perth Glory?
Two seasons at Celtic saw him start 13 Premier league appearances and make 39 in total, having started at the club aged 21 in 2002. Martin O’Neill rated the Irishman highly and was stunned when he left for Manchester United. In 2004 he moved to Manchester United and made 3 Premier League starts and 19 appearances in total. He was then loaned out to Leeds United where he played consistently starting 29 games. He made 9 league appearances for Manchester united before being sold to Sunderland and signing a three year deal.
In February 2008 Manager Roy Keane placed him on the transfer list because of a ‘lack of discipline’ and ‘poor timekeeping’, evidenced by his frequent lateness arriving to training sessions. He then moved to Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season, and six months later they released him.
Finding himself without a club he asked for a trial with Hibernian, who then signed him for two years. It started well, but as the clubs form dipped so too did Miller’s and he dropped out of the side and was then not offered a new contract.
Perth Glory is his last chance to fulfil the promise of ten years ago. He has not played as much football as his talent should have warranted.
According to David Hatt’s review “More needs to be done in the recruitment area to guard against the presence of players who simply seek a superannuated end to their careers.”
If Liam Miller does not perform he could well be an example of what Mr Hatt recommended against.
I’d like to see Glory play against the state 21 team a couple times as part of their pre season as well as the full state team a couple of times. Especially given the long pre season. Surely it’s not that hard to organize?
Rob, I agree, they need to sign these youngsters and give them a chance and by that I mean more than ten minutes at the end of a game. I put forward Liam Boland nearly two years ago after watching him in Stirling reserves. The form of Ndumba Makeche this season before he was injured would say there is another exciting local boy to be looked at.
As you state it is “Investing” in the future!
LIke I’ve said befoe investing in a liam boland and other young local players would beterr option