Veteran makes his Mark as skipper
SOCCEROOS coach Graham Arnold timed his call to perfection when he phoned Mark Milligan to convince him to shelve plans to retire from international football.
After his fourth World Cup in June, Milligan was contemplating calling time on his Socceroos career.
But reluctant to rush into a decision, the former Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory star headed to Greece for a well-earned holiday.
So it was a relaxed and clear-minded Milligan who spoke to Arnold on the phone for three quarters of an hour rather than a player tired after an arduous World Cup journey.
And the rest is history. Milligan, 33, was named as successor to departed former Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak just hours before earning his 73rd cap in Australia’s 1-1 draw with South Korea at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Socceroos are again in action tomorrow night against Lebanon in Sydney as they prepare for the defence of their Asian Cup crown in January in the United Arab Emirates.
“I’m very happy that I stayed on, not just for the captaincy, but I think this team at the Asian Cup is going to do wonderful things,” said Milligan, who also recalled his phone chat with Arnold.
“He didn’t convince me, but made me feel comfortable in staying on. We had a good talk, and he spoke about what he wanted to do with the team in terms of playing and things like that. It all felt very familiar to be honest.”
Milligan, who now plies his trade at club level for Scottish outfit Hibernian, was delighted not to have made a spur-of-the-moment decision after the World Cup.
“Emotions are high. The World Cup is a very taxing event, the lead-up to it and everything like that,” he said.
“(Arnold) gave me a little bit of time afterwards, let the dust settle, and being as great a coach as he is, he got the timing right on that as well.”
Saturday night’s match wasn’t the first time Milligan captained his country, but his maiden game as official Socceroos skipper.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play in some very good Socceroos sides led by great players and great captains. To now join that elite group, it is a massive honour.
“I did have to pinch myself a little bit. Once it came out (on Saturday), I guess it really hit home. To see my family’s reaction … it’s a wonderful feeling.”
I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO PLAY IN SOME VERY GOOD SOCCEROOS SIDES LED BY GREAT PLAYERS SOCCEROO MARK MILLIGAN