Milligan reveals captaincy aim

[the_gun]

Australia defender Mark Milligan spoke of a desire to one day captain his country.

The former Olyroos skipper, who led Australia’s under-23 side into combat at the Beijing Games in 2008, is set for South Africa as one of the back-ups to the first choice central defensive pairing of Lucas Neill and Craig Moore.

Milligan’s spell in China with Shanghai Shenua and his recent move to second tier JEF United in Japan have thrust the versatile 24-year-old back into the national team frame and he will compete with Michael Beauchamp for a berth in South Africa, should Neill or Moore break down.

A member of Australia’s squad at Germany 2006, Milligan has always carried a mantle of leadership with him and he says that his time may come in the post World Cup reconfiguration of the Socceroos with a changing of the guard and a new coach.

"I don’t like looking too far ahead but I loved captaining the Olyroos and I do feel I have qualities in that area going forward," Milligan told The World Game.

"Firstly though I want to cement a permanent spot in the Socceroos squad. I want to make sure I am a big part of the future and picking the brains of Lucas Neill and Craig Moore will be a big help there.

"It was pretty special for me to captain the Olympic team and it does give you a taste for it.

"It’s not something that comes around very much and it’s something you relish. Who wouldn’t."

Milligan won’t be content to simply make up the numbers at the 2010 World Cup, adding: “First I want to nail down a spot in the final 23-man squad and second I want to get some game time, whether it’s one of the warm-ups or hopefully in a World Cup game itself.

“It’s all about training hard and putting my best foot forward.

“We all know Lucas and Craig are the preferred pairing and it’s great just to be around them and to learn from them.”

Milligan, whose career briefly stalled when he quit Sydney FC and trialled with various clubs in Europe without nailing down a contract, has put that eight-month glitch in 2008 behind him and has firmly dispelled fears that he put his career in question.

Milligan believes he is now in the form of his life – and is just as happy off the field after becoming a father for the first time two weeks ago.

“This is probably the best I’ve ever been as a player,” he said. “Playing in China and Japan, with the amount of games and intensity of training has helped take me to another level.

“I like to think I’m peaking at the right time and as everybody knows timing is everything in football.

“I’ve learned from some of mistakes. From the outside it might look as if there was a bit of mayhem around me at times but I’ve taken a lot out of every experience and have turned it to my advantage.”

Milligan has a good feeling on Australia’s prospects in Group D against Germany, Ghana and Serbia in June.

“When times are tough the Australian team usually shines and I think we will rise to the occasion.

“We have talent but also a lot of spirit and heart. We’re confident in our ability and we will shock a few people. If people write us off, it will just work in our favour.”

[ManCityMan]

Australia defender Mark Milligan spoke of a desire to one day captain his country.

The former Olyroos skipper, who led Australia’s under-23 side into combat at the Beijing Games in 2008, is set for South Africa as one of the back-ups to the first choice central defensive pairing of Lucas Neill and Craig Moore.

Milligan’s spell in China with Shanghai Shenua and his recent move to second tier JEF United in Japan have thrust the versatile 24-year-old back into the national team frame and he will compete with Michael Beauchamp for a berth in South Africa, should Neill or Moore break down.

A member of Australia’s squad at Germany 2006, Milligan has always carried a mantle of leadership with him and he says that his time may come in the post World Cup reconfiguration of the Socceroos with a changing of the guard and a new coach.

"I don’t like looking too far ahead but I loved captaining the Olyroos and I do feel I have qualities in that area going forward," Milligan told The World Game.

"Firstly though I want to cement a permanent spot in the Socceroos squad. I want to make sure I am a big part of the future and picking the brains of Lucas Neill and Craig Moore will be a big help there.

"It was pretty special for me to captain the Olympic team and it does give you a taste for it.

"It’s not something that comes around very much and it’s something you relish. Who wouldn’t."

Milligan won’t be content to simply make up the numbers at the 2010 World Cup, adding: “First I want to nail down a spot in the final 23-man squad and second I want to get some game time, whether it’s one of the warm-ups or hopefully in a World Cup game itself.

“It’s all about training hard and putting my best foot forward.

“We all know Lucas and Craig are the preferred pairing and it’s great just to be around them and to learn from them.”

Milligan, whose career briefly stalled when he quit Sydney FC and trialled with various clubs in Europe without nailing down a contract, has put that eight-month glitch in 2008 behind him and has firmly dispelled fears that he put his career in question.

Milligan believes he is now in the form of his life – and is just as happy off the field after becoming a father for the first time two weeks ago.

“This is probably the best I’ve ever been as a player,” he said. “Playing in China and Japan, with the amount of games and intensity of training has helped take me to another level.

“I like to think I’m peaking at the right time and as everybody knows timing is everything in football.

“I’ve learned from some of mistakes. From the outside it might look as if there was a bit of mayhem around me at times but I’ve taken a lot out of every experience and have turned it to my advantage.”

Milligan has a good feeling on Australia’s prospects in Group D against Germany, Ghana and Serbia in June.

“When times are tough the Australian team usually shines and I think we will rise to the occasion.

“We have talent but also a lot of spirit and heart. We’re confident in our ability and we will shock a few people. If people write us off, it will just work in our favour.”

Headline reminds me of the time he was holding out for a contract at Arsenal before ending up with no club...He gets to the point in the end though - firstly I want to nail down a spot in the squad!

[DOC]

Australia defender Mark Milligan spoke of a desire to one day captain his country.

The former Olyroos skipper, who led Australia’s under-23 side into combat at the Beijing Games in 2008, is set for South Africa as one of the back-ups to the first choice central defensive pairing of Lucas Neill and Craig Moore.

Milligan’s spell in China with Shanghai Shenua and his recent move to second tier JEF United in Japan have thrust the versatile 24-year-old back into the national team frame and he will compete with Michael Beauchamp for a berth in South Africa, should Neill or Moore break down.

A member of Australia’s squad at Germany 2006, Milligan has always carried a mantle of leadership with him and he says that his time may come in the post World Cup reconfiguration of the Socceroos with a changing of the guard and a new coach.

"I don’t like looking too far ahead but I loved captaining the Olyroos and I do feel I have qualities in that area going forward," Milligan told The World Game.

"Firstly though I want to cement a permanent spot in the Socceroos squad. I want to make sure I am a big part of the future and picking the brains of Lucas Neill and Craig Moore will be a big help there.

"It was pretty special for me to captain the Olympic team and it does give you a taste for it.

"It’s not something that comes around very much and it’s something you relish. Who wouldn’t."

Milligan won’t be content to simply make up the numbers at the 2010 World Cup, adding: “First I want to nail down a spot in the final 23-man squad and second I want to get some game time, whether it’s one of the warm-ups or hopefully in a World Cup game itself.

“It’s all about training hard and putting my best foot forward.

“We all know Lucas and Craig are the preferred pairing and it’s great just to be around them and to learn from them.”

Milligan, whose career briefly stalled when he quit Sydney FC and trialled with various clubs in Europe without nailing down a contract, has put that eight-month glitch in 2008 behind him and has firmly dispelled fears that he put his career in question.

Milligan believes he is now in the form of his life – and is just as happy off the field after becoming a father for the first time two weeks ago.

“This is probably the best I’ve ever been as a player,” he said. “Playing in China and Japan, with the amount of games and intensity of training has helped take me to another level.

“I like to think I’m peaking at the right time and as everybody knows timing is everything in football.

“I’ve learned from some of mistakes. From the outside it might look as if there was a bit of mayhem around me at times but I’ve taken a lot out of every experience and have turned it to my advantage.”

Milligan has a good feeling on Australia’s prospects in Group D against Germany, Ghana and Serbia in June.

“When times are tough the Australian team usually shines and I think we will rise to the occasion.

“We have talent but also a lot of spirit and heart. We’re confident in our ability and we will shock a few people. If people write us off, it will just work in our favour.”

Headline reminds me of the time he was holding out for a contract at Arsenal before ending up with no club...He gets to the point in the end though - firstly I want to nail down a spot in the squad!

he could never go to england in the first place due to the work permit laws..

[Chade]

he could never go to england in the first place due to the work permit laws..

He will if he keeps getting international caps.

[DOC]

he could never go to england in the first place due to the work permit laws..

He will if he keeps getting international caps.

not 2 years ago when he was looking

[Chade]

he could never go to england in the first place due to the work permit laws..

He will if he keeps getting international caps.

not 2 years ago when he was looking

Hence "will"... future tense.