MARK’S BEEN THROUGH MILL
Aussie returns to chaos after Asian Cup
MARK MILLIGAN says his head’s been in a spin since he got back to Scotland and not just because Neil Lennon has gone despite not resigning or being sacked.
The Hibs midfielder spent a month with Australia at the Asian Cup and came back to chaos amid the former manager’s departure.
Milligan is still trying to see straight but he’s glad Hibs are thinking clearly as he knows it’s vital to get the right appointment rather than a quick one. Caretaker Eddie May might have lost two of his three games at the helm, with the defeat at Celtic on the back of the loss to Aberdeen and win against St Mirren but he’s managed to steady the ship in the wake of a rocky few weeks.
The stand-in could be set for one final shot in the dugout in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup visit of Raith Rovers as the Leith side make their big decision on Lenny’s successor.
The list’s been whittled down to ex-Barnsley and Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom and former Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn gaffer Michael Appleton but Milligan is sure the Hibs squad will be ready for whoever comes in.
The Aussie star said: “You want that stability but again it’s nice to know they are not rushing into anything.
“It’s an important decision to be made. We have had a lot of games this week and again it’s a short turnaround for us but we just need to stay focused on getting it right in the next couple of games.
“Was it a surprise what happened? Absolutely. Being away for a month I was out of touch a bit and obviously with the league being stopped and the boys away I honestly hadn’t heard anything until I stepped back into Scotland.
“It makes it a little bit difficult but again it’s part of the life we live, it’s what happens in the sport.
“I have been around for quite a while and I need to try to use what I do know and my experience to help – we have quite a few young boys – to try to get the best out of them.”
It was just as big a shock coming back and discovering his Aussie pal Jamie Maclaren wasn’t with him.
The striker cut short his loan spell in the aftermath of Lennon’s exit and returned to Darmstadt in Germany.
Milligan said: “That was a bit of a whirlwind. We only had a discussion about it when it was happening.
“It happened very late on deadline day. There were whispers before but I have a lot of appreciation for what Jamie does.
“He felt that was the best move for him and I just hope he goes back there and scores goals for them.”
Hibs have been a bit of a circus in recent weeks but Milligan insisted the show must go on.
He said: “It’s extremely important. Our performances at the minute, while they are good for confidence, you still need to be picking up points along the way no matter what the situation is at the club.
“This cup game is good timing, we will prepare well. I still think we are sort of one good result away from turning it around.
“If we put in a good performance, get a good result, the whole mentality of the players and club changes again.
“One thing I do know is we have very good players at this club and at the minute it just feels like a little bit of confidence has been sapped. But one good result will turn it around.”
Being away for a month I was out of touch and hadn’t heard anything
MARK MILLIGAN