Melbourne Victory skipper Mark Milligan has echoed the sentiments of his boss, stressing that he’s ready, willing and able to start tonight’s blockbuster A-League clash against Adelaide United if called upon.
Fresh off the back of a spell with the Socceroos in Asia – in which he missed the game against Qatar on Wednesday – Milligan revealed he actually got back on an early flight to best prepare himself for tonight and that fitness is a non-issue.
“I was fortunate enough to get a little bit of an earlier flight home,” Milligan said this morning from Adelaide.
I got to spend the night in my own bed, had a good session yesterday and a good sleep last night, so very excited about tonight.”
With his coach Kevin Muscat yesterday admitting his spot in the line-up wasn’t a clear-cut decision, ‘Millsy’ conceded it was a decision that is entirely on the shoulders of the Victory boss, but has reiterated that he’s fit and raring to go.
READ MORE > Muscat selection headache as skipper returns
“Yes definitely, I think if Kev [Muscat] sees fit to start me, I don’t think it’ll be an issue,” he said.
“To be honest, it’s something I’ve been doing for a little while now and this is probably one of the better situations I’ve been in, in the sense of coming home and things like that.
“It’s a massive game for us so of course I want to be involved. I don’t think you need any more motivation than that.”
With a packed crowd set to pour into the newly refurbished Adelaide Oval – including a generous travelling Victory contingent – the skipper acknowledged that it may in fact play into his sides hand, having grown used to playing in front of generous Melbourne based crowds.
“I think it’s very good for us. We’re very fortunate that we get to play in front of big crowds at home [in Melbourne] regularly.
“I think it’ll work well for us and it’s exciting that we’re playing at the new revamped Adelaide Oval and hopefully they get really good numbers out there.”
Melbourne Victory will travel to Adelaide to face Josep Gombau’s Adelaide United with kick-off scheduled for 7:40 (AEST) on Friday night.