THERE was a heady time when Celtic fans saw them as the future of the Parkhead midfield for years to come.
Instead Liam Miller and Colin Healy will be teaming up in the League of Ireland after Miller yesterday signed up for a return to his homeland.
Miller joined Cork City after a short-term contract with Melbourne City - owned by their Manchester equivalent - came to an end in December. The move ensures another reunion with Healy after the pair teamed up at schoolboy, international and club level in their careers.
While the news was met with delight in their home city, the sight of the two 30somethings teaming up again will leave some of a Celtic disposition wondering what might have been. The pair burst out of the Celtic academy around the same time around the turn of the millennium and looked like they could become staples of the Celtic side.
In Martin O'Neill's first home European game in charge of the club in 2000 the duo paired up to help put minnows Jeunesse Esch to the sword. Healy was 20, Miller just 19. But due to a combination of among other factors, bad luck, bad timing and bad career decisions their talent never came close to fruition.
Miller controversially jumped ship to Manchester United before meandering through the English Championship while Healy fell out of favour with O'Neill before injuries were to wreak havoc during his career south of the border. While they won 34 Ireland caps between them, it was hardly the kind of total their promise hinted at,
"I am delighted to be returning home," Miller said yesterday. "I will be proud to wear the Cork City jersey and do what I can for the team in front of all my family and friends. I am best mates with [Cork goalkeeper] Mark McNulty; I played with both him and Colin Healy since Under 16s and have lots of good memories."
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