Willie Miller: Celtic defensive duo can become a legendary partnership

Nov 9 2008 By Mark Guidi

WILLIE MILLER watched Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell perform heroics against the best side in Europe.

And it reminded him of the legendary partnership he had with Alex McLeish.

The countless trophies Sir Alex Ferguson took to Aberdeen were down to the rock solid defensive qualities of Miller and McLeish.

Scotland also qualified for major finals with them at the back.

Now Miller reckons the Parkhead duo can go on to be the cornerstone of more success for Gordon Strachan as Celtic bid to stay dominant in the SPL and improve in Europe.

Hoops still have a slender chance of making it through to the last 16 after their 1-1 midweek draw against Manchester United and Miller said: "Stephen and Gary were fabulous.

"When you look at the quality of the opposition - exceptional in the first half, world class in the second - Celtic still managed to keep them out bar that one goal.

"Their positional sense was superb, anything coming into the box, crosses down the right hand side, they were more or less camped in.

"They got themselves in the right place to cut out the cross before it caused any danger.

"Their understanding throughout was first class.

"It was a night for brave men and Celtic had it in every department.

"The central defenders when asked to do something special or take it where it hurts were so willing.

"That's a positional thing as well - anticipating the shot, where it's going to be and being brave enough to get yourself out there and make that decision to block it.

"Stephen and Gary have fantastic experience together now. They can play a bit too, they're not just two big stoppers. And they show composure."

However, Miller pinpointed one flaw in the Celtic defence.

He said: "Maybe on the night the corner kicks caused them a problem or two. That was the only weak part of their game. It's important you don't let the opposition's reputation overwhelm you. That didn't happen and they stood up to whoever was going at them - Tevez, Berbatov, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney.

"Playing together is important.

Alex and I went something like 17 years with each other and it got to a stage - maybe after a decade - where it was almost telepathic.

"That comes from playing together and having that camaraderie at club and international level.

"This is the Celtic guys' third year playing together and they've had their critics. But individually both are good players and over the three years they've grown in stature.

"Games like the one against Man United are only going to help.

"You get landmark matches in your career that give you the belief you can go on to bigger things.

"You've got to take the knocks. I went through it, Alex went through it and we went through it together as a partnership.

"These guys have had these types of games too. But you get ones at the highest level.

"Myself and Alex had it at Wembley in 1981 when Scotland won 1-0. We had it against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals when we went on to win the European Cup Winners' Cup and these kind of occasions give you the belief to kick on and go on to better things.

"Stephen and Gary wanted to show how good they could be against the best. They did it with honour."

Miller may be director of football at Aberdeen but he is looking forward to seeing the McManus-Caldwell combination come on even more.

Willie said: "The way they have developed they look like being the partnership for now and the future.

"Both are at a perfect age with peak athletic years coming up and mentally improving.

"When I was 27 we won the Cup Winners' Cup. Physically I was at my peak but mentally the peak was still to come.

"Playing European Championships or World Cups helps too because you are measuring yourself against a broad section of the best. Knowing you've handled that makes you a better player or partnership."

George Burley will name his Scotland squad this week for the friendly against Argentina at Hampden and he'd love to play McManus and Caldwell together.

In the build-up to the match against Macedonia two months ago Burley insisted the Celtic defenders could be the modern-day Miller and McLeish. However, he may only get them to play 45 minutes against Diego Maradona's superstars.

Celtic are worried about having their players face too many games given their heavy schedule between now and the New Year.

But Miller is sure the partnership of McManus and Caldwell will play together many times because they complement one another.

He said: "Me and big Alex - we'd go and win it and if he's got the ball at his feet play it simple.

"McManus is like that, Caldwell is a little bit more a man who will take the ball down and play the passes.

"That kind of balance is similar to what Eck and I had. But I think the Celtic pair are more equal in terms of a partnership.

"I was more the senior statesman when I lined up alongside Alex although later on he definitely had his own mind.

"He actually started talking back, would you believe.

"The Celtic guys are more equal as a partnership.

"They are confident, both can use the ball, they are comfortable on it and quite happy to play one against one.

"The full backs will bomb forward and the two at the back are happy to be left on their own, they know they don't need too much protection.

"Both Stephen and Gary have pace and are athletes and fabulous players."