Celtic's Miller set for United?
Celtic youngster Liam Miller is on the verge of signing a pre-contract agreement with Manchester United, it is understood....
News Source: soccernet.com
An announcement is to be made in the near future but the news will come as a major disappointment to Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, who was just celebrating the imminent arrival of Stephen Pearson from Motherwell.
Celtic have been hoping to secure Miller in the long term by offering a lucrative deal. But negotiations have dragged on, and it appears that the lure of Old Trafford is too great for the Cork-born player, whose current contract expires at the end of the season.
A Celtic spokesman said: 'We have had no conformation from Manchester United of any pre-contractual agreement.
'We made an extremely generous offer to Liam Miller, the biggest salary deal ever put on the table for a young Celtic player who has come up through the ranks.
'This offer was made following detailed consideration of Liam's contribution to the team to date during his 16 first-team starting appearances as well as eventual potential.
'It is a salary package which would make him one of the very best-paid young players in Scottish football history.'
Miller has already scored five goals this season, one of which was a stunning strike against Anderlecht in November, although he was left on the bench for Saturday's Old Firm victory over Rangers.
O'Neill has been cautious with Miller due to his injury record in previous seasons.
But his rise to prominence was confirmed when he was named in the Republic squad for the home friendly with Canada on November 18.
Miller first attracted the attention of Celtic when playing for his local side in Ovens, County Cork, and moved in Scotland in 1997.
A regular in Brian Kerr's underage squads, Celtic rated him highly and sent him on loan to Danish side Aarhus in 2001 for experience.
By then he was a regular in the Under-21 side which he eventually went on to captain, while he also forced his way into the Celtic first team this season and became a huge favourite with the fans.
