John Hartson and Kenny Dalglish pay emotional tributes to former Celtic star Liam Miller

JOHN HARTSON last night paid an emotional tribute to Liam Miller after the 36-year-old lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.

The former Celtic, Manchester United, Hibernian and Republic of Ireland star was diagnosed with the illness last year and had been receiving extensive treatment in the United States and Ireland. He passed away on Friday.

Hartson – who was diagnosed with testicular and brain cancer in 2009 – was a team-mate of Miller’s at Celtic and told The Sunday Post: “It’s such sad, sad news. It’s really horrific. I’m genuinely devastated for his wife, children and parents.

“I spoke to young Liam around November time and he was just back from America. He had been over there seeing doctors and he knew he had a big fight on his hands.

“However, he sounded relatively positive about the struggles that were ahead of him and was determined to beat it. Unfortunately, cancer got the better of him. It’s just not fair. He was a lovely kid.

“I was told around three weeks ago that it was terminal and that Liam only had a few weeks to live. I kept that news very private.

“And then I found out the tragic news about him very early on Saturday morning. I woke up to text messages from lots of the lads about Liam. We have already shared some nice memories of him together.

“But he is no longer with us and that will take a long, long time to sink in.

“I was just 33 when I was diagnosed with cancer. It was only with lots of luck that I managed to pull through.

“My heart goes out to Liam’s family. He leaves behind three young children and that should never happen. It’s just horrible news and they are all very much in my thoughts.”

Sunday Post columnist Kenny Dalglish has recalled giving Miller his Celtic debut while caretaker manager in May 2000. He writes in today’s Post Match: “It was the final league game of the season, at home to Dundee United.

“Liam came on as a sub and he deserved his opportunity. He worked hard in the reserves, his ability and dedication caught the eye. He went on to play many times for Celtic and then for Manchester United and Republic of Ireland. He had a fine career.

“But he has been taken far too young. I’m saddened to hear of his passing. It’s horrible news.”

Paul Lambert was in the team when Miller made his debut.

The Stoke City manager told The Sunday Post: “I can’t believe Liam is no longer with us. It’s horrific news. He was a humble young man. I really liked him as a person. He had an infectious smile.

“It only seems like yesterday he was a young lad at Celtic making his way in the game. Liam quickly earned himself a really good reputation as a kid at Celtic. He was tipped as the next big thing.

“Liam was a talented footballer with a great attitude. He wanted to learn and he was willing to listen. He took advice from the senior professionals and never took anything for granted.

“It leaves you with an empty feeling to know he has left behind his wife and young family.”

Miller spent his final weeks in a hospice in Cork, finally succumbing to an illness that afflicts just one man under 40 in the UK every year.

Former Celtic manager and current Irish boss Martin O’Neill said: “Liam was a fine young man and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. They are wonderful people and they do not deserve to have Liam taken from them at just 36.

“I had respect for Liam as a person. He was warm and genuine.

“As a footballer, he was talented and could play, make no mistake about that. I gave him his European debut for Celtic and he lit the game up one particular evening when we defeated Lyon. Liam made a massive impact that night.

“He signed for Manchester United and we were disappointed to see him go. I felt he could have really made a name for himself at Celtic and been a major player in the team for years to come.

“He was a really good kid and will be very badly missed.”