Melbourne Victory players will care less about facing friend-turned-foe Harry Kewell in next weekend’s A-League derby than their fans do, says Victory skipper Mark Milligan.
Kewell, Melbourne Heart’s drawcard signing and captain, played just one season, in 2011-12, of what was meant to be a three-year deal with the Victory, before being released for family reasons.
Since then, the 35-year-old, who’s fighting to regain his Socceroos berth, has played just three club matches – for Qatar’s Al Gharafa – before joining the Heart.
Milligan, who’s expected to miss the October 12 Victory-Heart clash at Etihad Stadium because of Socceroos duty, doubted Kewell’s presence would stir up much emotion within the Victory camp.
But he expects a different story in the stands.
“It’s good for all the fans,” Milligan told reporters on Friday.
“Obviously anything we can do to attract more people to our game is a positive.
“From a player’s point of view, we’ll be having a look at the whole team, having a look at the squad and the way that they do things.
“We’ve never made a point of focusing on one player.
“From a fan’s point of view, though, I think it’s outstanding.”
Milligan said the Victory’s squad was shaping up strongly, with notable off-season recruits Kosta Barbarouses, Mitch Nichols, James Troisi and Chilean central defender Pablo Contreras adding experience to a squad with some talented youngsters.
Brazilian playmaker Gui Finkler is another virtual recruit, after missing much of last season with a knee injury.
The Heart also have many new faces, with Patrick Kisnorbo, Iain Ramsay, Massimo Murdocca and Dutchman Rob Wielaert among them.
“It’s always going to be difficult. Every time we play against them it’s a battle,” Milligan said.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Just four teams remain in the hunt for the 2023/24 A-League Championship and the action will be intense in the opening legs of the…
Cameron Burgess scored the winner to confirm Ipswich’s status as a Premier League club.
In a statement weekend, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory made significant ones in advancing to the final four of the A-League finals. Now, most…
Paul Izzo has inspired Melbourne Victory to one of the greatest-ever A-League Men escapes as they rose from the ashes to beat Melbourne City…
Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
