Celtic midfielder Liam Miller has been called into the Irish u21 squad ahead of Friday's European Championship qualifier against Holland.

Miller replaces the injured Andy O'Brien in the squad, which manager Don Given feels has a good chance of a positive result from the game.

The Ballincollig native has been at Celtic for four seasons, starring in their youth and reserve teams. He was used recently by manager Martin O'Neill in the UEFA Cup tie against Jeunesse Esch, coming on in the second half and impressing. Liam is thought of very highly at Celtic Park but this is his first chance of u21 international football.

He was one of the leading lights in the Ireland u16 team that won the European Championships in 1998 and also starred for the u18s the following season.

Don Given goes into tomorrow's game in confident mood. He said: "I'm more optimistic going into this game than I have been about any other. For once, we have a full squad to choose from and suddenly we are starting to play the way I want to - with the defence concentrating on keeping possession."