Mark expects a tough derby, but won’t be needing his Saudi bodyguard
Hibs midfielder Mark Milligan is unlikely to be fazed by derby day in Edinburgh after revealing he was unable to walk the streets of Jeddah in the aftermath of Saudi Arabia’s feistiest fixture.
The Australia stalwart endured a baptism of fire after joining Al-Ahli in January, with his competitive debut coming against bitter rivals Al-Ittihad, with 67,000 packing into the state-ofthe-art King Abdullah Sports City Stadium which the clubs share.
Milligan, 33, lined up in the heart of defence and kept a clean sheet during a fraught 0-0 draw, becoming an immediate fans’ favourite and ensuring he was mobbed by supporters whenever he left his home.
Mercifully, he was able to call upon the assistance of his driver, and sometime bodyguard, Hakam.
“My wife has travelled around with me and been to a lot of games, and four World Cups.
“After that game she said, ‘That’s the best game I’ve been to’ in terms of atmosphere and the stadium,” said the Easter Road man.
“Before I went there, I knew football was big in Saudi Arabia, but to experience that atmosphere in my first
game over there was unbelievable.
“We drew that derby and went on to lose the league by just one point to Hilal.
“I don’t know how intense it is after a derby in Edinburgh, yet, but over there it was REALLY intense.
“It’s more the feedback you get after the game.
“You were just always getting mobbed. It wasn’t an intimidating scenario, but it was something you had to deal with.
“Especially as a foreign player, because there are only six or seven of you there and you stand out a bit more.
“I couldn’t go to the shops or anything like that.
“They are very passionate about their football. Thankfully, I used to have a driver, Hakam, and he was a big fella.
“He used to just clear people out of the way so I could get to where I was going!”
While happy to luxuriate in memories of previous derby days, Milligan is acutely aware of the need to play the game, not the occasion, when Hibernian travel to face league leaders Hearts in the first all-Edinburgh showdown of the season on Tuesday.
“I think there is enough emotion to go around from all the outside influences,” smiled the 71-times capped Socceroo.
“It is always intense and you have to win the battle early on.
“Generally, if you are able to do that and get a hold of the game, it takes you a long way towards getting a result.
“In the build-up there is all the media stuff and there is always a lot of noise around the game.
“It is important for us to control that, especially being away from home.”
Milligan is also conscious that victory for Hearts would see the Jambos surge nine points clear of their cross-town neighbours in the Premiership standings and, while still early in the season, that is an outcome he is desperate to avoid.
“We want to stay in touch with Hearts,” he added.
“The top six is so close at the minute and you don’t want to fall behind and have to catch up later.
“We are very confident going into it.”