Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic found his feet and hit the heights

Four years ago there were plenty of doubts about the quality of Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic. Not anymore.

Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic training at Macquarie Uni this week. Picture: Getty Images

“Trust me, he will be an absolute star … the guy is a footballing ­genius.”

Four years ago there were plenty of doubts about the quality of Milos Ninkovic, but Graham ­Arnold knew better.

Having come to Australia with a huge reputation, the Serbian, by his own admission, struggled to find his feet in the early stages of the 2015-16 season at Sydney FC. There were signs of his quality at various stages but not enough for critics who believed he should have been offering much more.

As the Sky Blues slipped from a position of strength near the top of the table to missing out on the top six, the tough questions were being asked and some were about Ninkovic.

Still, then Sydney FC coach ­Arnold was defiant. When it was put to him that Ninkovic might not be the player we had expected, he dismissed the suggestion with disdain. History has since proved he was right.

People speak of the impact Perth Glory’s magnificent attacker Diego Castro has had in his three seasons here but Ninkovic’s contribution, not just to Sydney FC but the game in general, has been just as telling.

We were to see the best of him in the 2016-17 season, one to remember not just for Sydney’s exploits but for the attacking midfielder’s masterclass season, after which he walked away with several awards, including the Johnny Warren Medal.

Ninkovic, now 34, defined Sydney FC as the Sky Blues went through the season losing just once, running away with the Premiers Plate and winning the championship, helped by his goals and numerous assists.

He hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, either, in the two seasons since. The skills, the ­vision, the passing are as sublime as ever and were all on show in Sydney’s 6-1 demolition of Melbourne Victory last week that vaulted Sydney into the grand final against Perth Glory at Optus Stadium tomorrow.

Arnold has no doubts where Ninkovic stands when talking about the great players to have graced the A-League since 2005.

“He is the best player that I have coached in the A-League definitely … he is a player I would gladly pay to go and see,” Arnold, now Socceroos boss, told The Weekend Australian. “During my time at Sydney he was always a joy to work with and to have around.

“As a player, his technique was something else. He can do things I haven’t seen done at this level.

“Milos has no ego and is a wonderful person to have around the club because the first thing he thinks about is everyone else.

“On the field he does incredible things but what some people miss is his work rate; it is fantastic. He does so much defensively, getting back and helping out then getting forward. It is all about the team.

“The other thing about Milos is that he never has a bad game.

“He might have quiet ones but never a bad one.”

Arnold recalled Ninkovic’s early issues adapting to the A-League, but said he always knew he would overcome them.

“Even (Melbourne Victory star recruit) Keisuke Honda said the A-League is not easy,” Arnold said. “There’s a lot of turnover in possession and it is end to end and Ninko struggled in his first year because of the heat.

“But as you would expect from such a professional, he worked it out in the end. And you have seen the last three seasons just what a special player he is.”

There still seems to be plenty of life in Ninkovic’s legs and another season at least beckons. He hasn’t spoken about his plans, but hinted earlier this season he wanted to finish his career with the Sky Blues.