World Cup 2018: Secure Socceroo Mark Milligan primed to produce his best

STILL scarred from his 2014 World Cup injury, Socceroos veteran Mark Milligan has revealed his delight that his Russia role is clear.

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STILL scarred from his 2014 World Cup injury, Mark Milligan has revealed his delight that his Russia role is clear.

Milligan is a veteran of three World Cups but extraordinarily made just one appearance during the Socceroos’ 10 finals outings.

Picked as a youthful right back in 2006, an emerging right-sided stopper in 2010 then a bona fide first XI midfielder in 2014, his versatility was a curse in Brazil, as a mid-tournament positional change flirtation cruelly ended his tournament after an impressive opening match against Chile.

Mark Milligan trains under Bert van Marwijk’s watchful eye. Picture: Getty Images

While playing in midfield for most of 2018 qualifying, Milligan started his third straight game in central defence under Bert van Marwijk and starred in the 4-0 win over Czech Republic.

A fatigued Milligan tore his hamstring two days before the Holland game in 2014 after training at right back and whipping in a series of crosses, having hitherto trained and played in midfield alongside Mile Jedinak.

It paved the way for Ryan McGowan — who whipped in the cross for Tim Cahill’s stunner — to start at right back while Matt McKay came into midfield.

Milligan said continuity was crucial for his body and mind.

“It is very important. If you’re not in the right state mentally then those things do happen,’’ Milligan said.

Mark Milligan during the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“The biggest thing now, especially while you’re working so hard is — like I feel great, but if I’m not concentrated, not doing the right things, things can go wrong.

“Personally it was very difficult, getting injured the second day after the (Chile) game at training. Physically that campaign — while the lead-up to Guus’s 2006 (campaign) was extremely tough — we never backed off with the 2014 one. It was continuous.

“We played Chile and then had the next day travel, recovery then straight back into it. (Ivan) Franjic had been injured so they were tinkering with a few things positionally.

“I was just doing some things in training I wouldn’t normally do in terms of runs and crosses. Because we’d been working so hard it was unfortunate that it was a decent tear that I got.

“That was very disappointing because the year leading into that was very good for me.”

Milligan said it was a stark contrast preparing to play midfield and defence.

A fresh-faced Mark Milligan jousts with John Aloisi in 2006. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“In midfield I play a totally different way, when I receive the ball there’s passes that you look for that I can’t when I’m at the back. It’s a totally different frame of mind, especially when I have the ball, in picking passes.

“My first thought is always to go forward, sometimes you can’t do that at the back, you need to (be more careful).

“Being able to train there for two weeks and focus on one position to fight for has made a big difference.”

Milligan said a win against Hungary on Sunday (AEST) would ice their preparations.

“It’s been drilled into us that the performance is very important but it’s much easier to learn things when you’re winning,’’ Milligan said.

“The game in Hungary is going to be another chance to get those game timings right. There’s some things the match provides, that you can’t imitate in training.”