THE funeral of former Celtic player Liam Miller has taken place in Ireland this morning.
The requiem mass was held at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Ovens, Co Cork, at 11.30am followed by a burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Many of Miller’s former football team-mates and managers attended the service including former Hoops stars Roy Keane and Aiden McGeady.
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill, who was in charge at Parkhead when the midfielder made his breakthrough into the first team in 2004, was also in attendance along with Miller’s former Ireland manager Steve Staunton.
O’Neill said: “Liam’s passing is very sad and he will be greatly missed. He was an excellent footballer and a fantastic man.”
Miller, who grew up in Ovens village in County Cork, died on Friday at the age of 36 after battling cancer.
Although he played Gaelic football from a young age, Miller’s real passion was football, with a fondness for Celtic taken from his Scottish father Billy.
Brendan Rodgers’ players wore black armbands in Miller’s memory during their Scottish Cup victory over Partick Thistle on Saturday. There was also a perfectly-observed one minute’s silence before kick-off.
Manchester United also wore black armbands during their Premier League clash at Newcastle yesterday in a tribute to Miller who spent two seasons at Old Trafford after leaving Parkhead in 2005.
Among the gifts brought to the altar during the mass were football jerseys and photos of his family.
Miller is survived by his wife Clare and his three children Kory, Leo and Belle.
