‘Unique’ Maclaren can be Australia’s goal king, says Milligan

Jamie Maclaren offers a “unique” option for Graham Arnold, as the Australia coach assesses his best striking permutations going into January’s AFC Asian Cup.

That’s the conclusion of Socceroos defender Mark Milligan after a week of trying to defend against the 25-year-old marksman during new boss Arnold’s national team training camp in Turkey earlier this month.

Milligan has joined on-loan Maclaren in the Scottish Premier League this season at Hibernian, and likes what he sees from the striker considered desperately unfortunate not to be granted any minutes as goal-shy Australia exited the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the group stage.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s (AEST) visit to Dundee, Milligan offered a glowing endorsement of what Maclaren might bring for club and country in the coming months.

“Being able to work with him over the last few weeks and seeing how he goes about his business, and how he plays and moves, he definitely offers something unique,” said Milligan.

“We don’t have a great deal of that in Australian football at the moment.

“He’s definitely come along way in the past year. The six months here at Hibs last season was excellent for him.

“He scored a bag full of goals - and I see him getting quite a few more.”

Maclaren, who has yet to score in six Socceroos sightings, has yet to be given more than just a fleeting chance to show his wares, though Arnold has stated that may be about to change.

“We (Australia) don’t have a great deal of strikers scoring on a regular basis at the moment,” added Milligan.

“So if he’s able to transfer that across – and I’m sure we will be - then it will stand him in good stead with the national team.

“His work ethic is unbelievable: he’s very passionate and he’s very dangerous around the box.

“He’s smart in his movement and I’ve had to deal with him (at training) over the past couple of weeks and he has something different to what we have going around at the moment.”

Maclaren struck eight goals in 13 starts for Hibs in his previous loan spell from 2. Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt at the back at end of last season.

And, having arrived a little underdone in Edinburgh for his second stint - this time for the entire season - he has struck once so far in 185 minutes of league football for Neil Lennon’s side.

“Jamie, like myself, arrived well into pre-season and like me he needed to get up to match fitness,” added Milligan.

“Neil Lennon is very flexible in his formations and I’m sure Jamie will be a big part of things this season.

“I know he’s hugely respected by the gaffer and the club, and the fans too.

“He has a lot to give here and I think he’ll have a big season and score a lot of goals.”