Hibs’ new signing Mark Milligan insists that he is ready for a new challenge at Hibs and revealed that team-mate Jamie Maclaren’s enthusiasm about the club and Neil Lennon’s reputation were factors in his decision.
The Australian international has been linked to several top English clubs in the past but visa problems denied him a move to the Premiership.
The Socceroos recent success has made him eligible and he is delighted to have chosen Edinburgh as his final destination.
Milligan said:“I have no British or European heritage so when I was younger it was much harder to get a visa. It comes down to how our national team has done over a two year period, and then on how much I played.
“Over the last five years I have been a regular fixture in the national team, and over the last nine months, since the Confederations Cup, we have been doing quite well.
“After my medical I thought things would progress quite quickly to join Hibs, but my record with visas for the UK is not great.
“There are not many Australians who don’t have that European or UK heritage so when I was younger it was a little bit more difficult to take this step, but that is just football and everything happens for a reason.
“I have had some wonderful years playing in Asia, especially in Japan, and in Australia. I’m ready for my next challenge now.
“Seeing Jamie (Maclaren) and the desire he had to come back to the club spoke volumes.
“That was probably even more convincing than all the good things he had to say about Hibs.
“Just seeing how much enjoyment he had here last season and seeing how intent he was on getting back to be a part of things this season gave me a lot of confidence and made me feel at ease when we finally sat down to make the final decision.
“I have seen quite a bit of Scottish football down the years. I grew up watching Craig Moore and Mark Viduka.
“And right now there are so many Australians here, probably the most there ever has been, so there has been a lot of interest around the league and I’ve not been immune to that.
“Neil Lennon was a great player himself and that was definitely one of the reasons that I wanted to come here, that competitive edge he has.
“It always helps having Australians who have lived in the city to speak to. That’s a massive part of coming to a football team as well, you need to know where you’re going and what you’re heading in to.
“I’ve not heard a person say a bad word about Edinburgh and again that was another factor that helped me make up my mind. I have young children so that was important too.
“With so many Australians here at the minute, probably the most there ever has been, there has been a lot of interest around this league back home and I’ve not been immune from that.
“I’m not as young as I used to be but I still want to learn. I thought I could learn here, that this was a place where I could face a new challenge. I need to be continually tested. The gaffer (Neil Lennon) will do that and this league will do that.”
“After the World Cup I sat down, first and foremost, with my wife. I have been in the (international)set-up now for 13 years and the travelling does take its toll.
“We sat down and had a very honest talk, both spoke about what we wanted, and my wife told me I’d be crazy if I was to walk away from it now. Especially starting this new adventure here at Hibs, it has given me a fresh look at football and a fresh start.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
