Mary Hannigan finds Liam Miller horrified by his new-found celebrity

There's a British website out there devoted to celebrities, with its current "Most Frequently Requested" list featuring the likes of Jamie Oliver, Robbie Williams and George Michael. And Lulu. When they believe someone is finally famous enough they grant them celebrity status and add them to their directory.

Liam Miller is a man who gives the impression that he'd rather shuffle through hot coals than ever be regarded as a celebrity. It will, then, come as something of a shock to him to learn that he is now listed on said website, alongside Lulu and Co.

"He's got the looks, he could be in a boy band," said Mike Workman, Puma UK's marketing manager, in Dublin yesterday when the company announced their new sponsorship deal with Miller, "the most lucrative endorsement deal Puma has ever signed with an Irish athlete".

Miller smiled, with a notable degree of embarrassment, focused his eyes on the ceiling, and then on his feet. He's never been too comfortable talking about himself, and even more uneasy in the presence of people talking about him. Not least when they alert Louis Walsh to his pin-up potential. But the Republic of Ireland and Manchester United midfielder is learning that it all goes with the territory.

Besides, he's counting himself lucky these days, still visibly upset about the news of his former Ballincollig and Celtic team-mate Colin Healy, with whom he shared a Glasgow flat when they joined Celtic. Ten months after breaking his leg, Healy, close to a come-back, broke it again in training at Sunderland last week.

Were you horrified by the news?

"I sure was," he said. "Colin's not had much luck lately, so I was gutted when I heard, I couldn't really believe it. I hope he recovers, quick and well, please God.

"I've spoken to him. You're talking six to nine months that he's going to be out, so that's the season."

For Healy, then, it's another long road to recovery.

Miller, in contrast, is embarking on what he describes as the most exciting spell of his career. "I supported Celtic and United as a kid, so getting a chance to play for both of them is a dream come true."

He's enjoying his new life at United, impressed by the players around him.

"There is such quality, it does make it hard to get in to the team, especially for me in midfield, but it's good for me, I can learn from these players and I'm learning every day. Roy (Keane) has been good to me, to be fair, really good to me. I'm enjoying it, it's a pleasure playing with these players."

While out through injury Miller, ironically, saw two of his 1998 European Under-16 Championship-winning team-mates fill places in midfield that he covets himself, for club and country - Andy Reid for Ireland and John O'Shea for United.

"I'd seen John play in midfield before so I haven't been surprised by him being picked there for United. He's done brilliantly, he's really looked comfortable. Fair play to him. But I think you could throw him in anywhere, he's really flexible.

"Of course I'd love to start against France, but it's up to the manager really. Andy has been smashing, brilliant - he got his chance and he took it, he's played fantastically for Ireland, all credit to him."

And what of Saturday's little test against France?

"It's a big one," he said. "We're not going to be negative and say we'd be happy with a draw, we'll go out looking for the win. We all know the players they have, but the best thing for us is that we have the full squad so we're confident."

Ordeal over. The Stade de France will be a cinch after this. If he plays and has a blinder he might even make the "Most Frequently Requested" celebrities list. His worst nightmare.