Charlie Miller is eager to wind back the clock and get one up on his old rivals when he completes a comeback from injury with an appearance against Celtic at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
The Brisbane Roar midfielder couldn’t have wished for a better stage to prove his fitness, with coach Frank Farina confirming this morning the former Rangers would play a part in the Celtic fixture.
Unable to contain his excitement at facing Celtic, Miller described the rivalry between the Bhoys his former club Rangers as ‘a million times’ stronger than that of Australia and New Zealand.
“The days we played at Rangers it was great to beat them, so I definitely want to beat them this weekend as well,” the 33-year-old said.
The Translink Cup match might be a long way from an Old Firm derby, but Miller said his desire to win was no less.
“When I was younger, I would be nervous and really wanting to win,” he said.
“I’m a bit older now. I’m just going to look forward to it.”
“A hundred per cent I want to win this game. I never like to lose against Celtic, but I’m glad they’re coming over. It’s great to see them here and it’ll be a great match.”
Former Rangers team mate Craig Moore shared Miller’s enthusiasm and agreed the spectacle would be one to savour.
“It’s a good opportunity for the Australian public to come out and see a very good side. I was talking about Brisbane Roar there as well,” he quipped.
Farina said the occasion would also be a good one for the Roar players, with the Hyundai A-League opener less than a month away.
A number of Roar players battling injury has opened the door for fringe and youth players to prove their worth.
“As pre-season games go, they don’t get much bigger than this,” Farina said.
“It’s a good stage for them to step up and hopefully continue in the footsteps of the other young players that have come through.”
Brisbane Roar squad:
1. Liam Reddy (gk), 3. Luke DeVere, 4. Craig Moore (c), 5. Josh McCloughan, 9. Sergio van Dijk, 10. Charlie Miller, 12. Matt Mundy, 13. Henrique, 14. Adam Sarota, 15. Matt McKay, 16. Bob Malcolm (trial), 17. Mitch Nichols, 19. Isaka Cernak, 20. Griffin McMaster (gk), 23. Tim Smits, 24. Robbie Kruse, 25. Luke Brattan (youth), 23. Daniel Bowles (youth).
Celtic squad:
1. Artur Boruc (gk), 2. Andreas Hinkel, 3. Lee Naylor, 5. Gary Caldwell, 7. Scott McDonald (c), 9. Georgios Samaras, 13. Shaun Maloney, 15. Marc-Antoine Fortune, 16. Willo Flood, 17. Marc Crosas, 18. Massimo Donati, 20. Paddy McCourt, 22. Glenn Loovens, 24. Lukasz Zaluska (gk), 29. Koki Mizuno, 33. Chris Killen, 46. Aiden McGeady, 52. Paul Caddis.
