Latest news with #Milanovic
STV News
06-08-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Aberdeen winger Milanovic targets World Cup call-up with Australia
Nicolas Milanovic hopes a strong season with Aberdeen can help him force his way into the Australia team ahead of next summer's World Cup. The 23-year-old winger made his competitive Dons debut in Monday's 2-0 Premiership defeat away to Hearts after joining from A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers earlier this summer. Milanovic's enterprising display was one of the few positives for Aberdeen at Tynecastle, and he is intent on continuing to flourish in Jimmy Thelin's side with a view to being part of next year's global showpiece in North America. 'I've yet to make my first cap for Australia, I've been around it, but just haven't made that cap yet,' he said. 'So that's a personal goal of mine, to thrive this year and hopefully it will get me there. 'And the World Cup, obviously, is a big, big ambition of mine. I think everyone dreams of being in the World Cup, so yeah, hopefully club success brings that. 'I just want to do well here and do as much as I can for the team. And hopefully that will get me there.' Milanovic is relishing Aberdeen's upcoming European adventure after they learned on Monday that they will face Romanian side FCSB or Kosovan outfit Drita in their Europa League play-off later this month. 'A kid from Australia, I didn't really expect two years ago to be playing in a Europa League play-off, so I'm excited,' he said. 'That's another thing, a personal achievement I've got coming my way. 'I think the team's going to be more than ready for that draw. I don't know if it's a favourable or unfavourable draw, but we'll just go in there wanting to win, of course.' Milanovic is adamant there is no need for any dejection in the wake of their defeat at Hearts. 'It's round one, we have plenty of time to improve and gel,' he said. 'The chemistry is just going to get better over the next few weeks. Now it's just on to Celtic next weekend.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Aberdeen's ray of light on a dark night at Hearts - 'I thrive in those moments'
The new summer signing from Australia has a big year ahead of him at Pittodrie Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It was not the start Aberdeen wanted. Losing 2-0 at Hearts to kick off the 2025/26 Premiership campaign was a bit of a comedown from the Dons' last competitive match, the Scottish Cup final triumph against Celtic at the end of May. Events in Gorgie were a reminder of what they are up against this season. That heady day at Hampden made last term a rip-roaring success, but Aberdeen fans don't need told that they ended up sitting fifth in the league on the back of some dreadful form during the winter. At points earlier in the season, second place was being discussed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aberdeen finished behind Hibs and Dundee United but ahead of Hearts, who underperformed and slumped to seventh place. There appears little chance of the Jambos being as meek this time around. Tynecastle was back to its crackling and boisterous best, revitalised by the arrival of Derek McInnes as head coach and fresh investment from new shareholder Tony Bloom. Aberdeen's Nicolas Milanovic tries to take on Hearts' Harry Milne. | SNS Group The Dons are behind Hearts and other rivals due to their season commencing later. They lacked sharpness as Hearts tore into their visitors right from the off. 'We've only had two, three games up until this game and they've been playing some good football in the cup,' was the assessment of Aberdeen winger Nicolas Milanovic afterwards. 'So yeah, I think they're maybe a little bit sharper, a little bit game-ready.' It doesn't get any easier for Aberdeen this weekend. Celtic are in town for a high noon Sunday showdown. "I think we'll just work with the manager,' continued Milanovic for the week ahead. 'We trust him and he'll put a gameplan in place. And we'll just work on those little things that I felt weren't great today.' Milanovic, one of Aberdeen's summer signings, was a ray of light on a dark evening. The Australian right winger was their most dangerous outlet, running at the Hearts defence and cutting on to his left. The Dons paid in the region of £400,000 to Western Sydney Wanderers for the 23-year-old and he has a big year ahead of him. Not only will be made his European bow later this month against either FCSB or Drita, but he is gunning for a first Australia cap and a place at the World Cup next summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm looking forward to more games like that' 'Look, despite the result today, I really enjoyed it,' said Milanovic. 'I feel like I thrive in those moments, especially with the crowd. It's so hostile and I really enjoyed it. I'm just looking forward to more games like that. I'm sure it'll be like that at home next week. 'A kid from Australia, I didn't really expect two years ago to be playing in a Europa League play-off. So yeah, I'm excited. That's another thing, a personal achievement I've got coming my way. I think the team's going to be more than ready for that draw. I don't know if it's a favourable or unfavourable draw, but we'll just go in there wanting to win, of course.' Progress domestically and on the continent will help on the international front. 'I've still yet to make my first cap for Australia,' he added. 'You know, I've been around it, but just haven't made that cap yet.
Press and Journal
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen summer signing performances assessed as Jimmy Thelin's new look side edge past Cove Rangers 2-0
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin handed debuts to five of his six summer transfer window signings in a 2-0 friendly win against Cove Rangers. For the Dons supporters in the sell-out 3,200 crowd, a record attendance at the Balmoral Stadium, it was the first chance to see the new additions in action. Thelin handed debuts to winger Nicolas Milanovic, striker Kusini Yengi, midfielders Adil Aouchiche, Kjartan Már Kjartansson and keeper Nick Suman. Summer signing Emmanuel Gyamfi, signed from German Bundesliga 2 side Schalke, was not in the squad due to injury. Ante Palaversa and Nicky Devlin netted either side of half-time against a Cove Rangers side who were brave in possession and created chances. This was Aberdeen's first game since the Scottish Cup final triumph against Celtic in May, and of the new additions Milanovic and Kjartansson were the stand-outs. Thelin is closing in on more additions to strengthen for a campaign with guaranteed European league action. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin handed starts to Yengi and Milanovic. Milanovic, 23, operated on the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Yengi, 26, leading the attack ahead of teen Fletcher Boyd who was central in the midfield three. Australian Milanovic delivered an impressive debut performance, but should have scored, before being one of eight substitutions at half-time. Milanovic arrived at Pittodrie this summer on a high having been awarded the prestigious A-League Player of the Year award, and looks fired up to keep up that momentum. Signed for a fee of around £400,000 from Western Sydney Wanderers the winger also secured a debut call-up to the Australian national squad in May. After only 45 minutes of a friendly against a League One side it is very early days, but Milanovic could be a bargain buy at £400,000. He looked sharp in possession and was denied a quick-fire debut goal in the 17th minute when racing onto an Alexander Jensen through-ball. The winger read the situation well to burst onto the pass before unleashing a powerful low drive from 10 yards. To Milanovic's frustration the shot was blocked at the near post by keeper Robbie Mutch. Milanovic looked particularly dangerous when cutting inside onto his left, and in the 28th minute fired a 20 yard effort wide of the far-post. The woodwork denied the summer signing when he raced onto a low drive across goal from Yengi. His shot from close range cracked off the woodwork and went over. He should have scored. Milanovic looked a threat when dribbling wide and again cut inside and shot from distance, in the 40th minute, but his 25 yard drive went wide. The winger also impressed defensively and tracked back on a number of occasions to win possession. Fellow Australian Yengi was also substituted off at half-time after a solid debut. Former Portsmouth striker Yengi was signed to bolster an attack now minus loan stars Kevin Nisbet (Millwall) and Oday Dabbagh (Charleroi) who returned to their parent club. The 11-times capped international striker came close to an assist when his perfectly timed curved run sprung the defence to latch onto a Boyd through-ball. Yengi had the option to shoot from an acute tight angle with only the keeper to beat but showed impressive awareness to pick out the run of Milanovic. He rolled a pass to the onrushing Milanovic who hit the bar. Aberdeen boss Thelin introduced three further summer signings at half-time for debuts – midfielders Aouchiche, Kjartansson and Suman. French attacking midfielder Aouchiche was secured on a season-long loan from Sunderland and displayed his range of passing against Cove. Aberdeen have an option to buy the 22-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, next summer, understood to be for a club record fee of £1.5million. Auchiche played in the centre of a midfield three. Midway through the second half he collected the ball under pressure on the left, retained possession then calmly looked up to assess the flow of the game. Aouchiche then pinged a superb cross-field pass directly into the path of Jensen racing down the right-flank. It was a glimpse of the midfielder' composure and game vision. In the 80th minute the French winger slid a through-ball to the onrushing Vicente Besuijen that ripped open the Cove defence. However Besuijen was judged to be marginally offside. Aouchiche played a role in second goal when he instigated the attack with a perfectly judged pass to Gueye who rolled to Devlin to score. Iceland midfielder Kjartansson was secured on a four-year deal from Stjarnan for an undisclosed fee and brings a real physical presence to Aberdeen. He is powerful and aggressive in the challenge but physicality is only a fraction of his game. The Icelandic international reads the game extremely well to intercept passes, is composed and plays with a maturity beyond his years. A No.6 holding midfielder he will be viewed as the long-term replacement for veterans Sivert-Heltne Nilsen and Graeme Shinnie. For keeper Suman it was a rapid return to the Balmoral Stadium having played for Cove Rangers last season. Australian Suman was vocal, commanded his box and delivered a confident performance. He marked his Aberdeen debut with a clean sheet. Aberdeen created the first chance via a Milanovic shot then in the 20th minute Cove had a rasping 20 yard drive from a trialist saved by keeper Dimitar Mitov. The opener came in the 23rd minute when captain Graeme Shinnie, operating at left-back, squared a low pass to Ante Palaversa. Midfielder fired a low 20-yard left-footed drive beyond keeper Mutch. The woodwork denied the Dons a second when Milanovic cracked the crossbar with a close range shot in the 35th minute. On the stroke of half-time Mitov saved from Fraser Fyvie with the loose ball falling to David Eguaibor who kneed an effort from six yards. Mats Knoester cleared the effort off the line. In the 55th minute a curling effort from Pape Gueye was tipped over the bar by Cove keeper Balint Demus. Cove threatened in the 75th minute when Eguaibor fired wide from 20 yards. Aberdeen made it 2-0 with the last kick of the game when Nicky collected a pass from Gueye before firing home. : Mitov (Suman 46); Jensen, Milne (Molloy 46), Knoester, Shinnie (Devlin 46); Palaversa (Kjartansson 46), Clarkson (To 80); Milanovic (Morris 46), Boyd (Auchiche 46), Keskinen (Besuijen 46); Yengi (Gueye 46) : Mutch (Demus 46); Bisland, Trialist, Parker, Darge; Glass (Donaldson 79), Megginson (McGrath 63), Fyvie (Milnes 79) , Strachan; Equaibor, Trialist (Ochmanski 63) Referee: Greg Soutar Man-of-the-Match: Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen) Attendance: 3,200
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
New Dons signing Milanovic ready to 'get fans off seats'
Nicolas Milanovic has promised Aberdeen fans he will bring "a lot of exciting things" when Jimmy Thelin's side kick off their new Australia Under-23 winger signed a pre-contract with the Dons in May and has been working on his "chemistry" with his new team-mates at their pre-season camp in Portugal."It's been good," he told Aberdeen's club media. "Everyone's been really, really welcoming. "I think that was one of the main things in my head when I was coming, how the changing room was going to be, how were the boys going to be towards me and the group, but I can't fault them at all."Nearly every player's come up to me and asked me about my life and what's been my story."Next campaign will include European football until winter for Aberdeen, with the Dons discovering their Europa League play-off opponent on 4 Milanovic is hoping to "get fans off seats" in the big games."I like to get the ball and really carry it forward and create chances," he added."I like to play on the wing but also like to come inside as well and play in that little pocket."Fans can expect a lot of exciting things, shooting, dribbling, crossing - it's more my game - but the good thing is I've really improved on my defending and the gaffer here is really big on that."I'm looking forward to meeting those standards and showing the fans to get them off their seats, while driving the ball towards goal. That's my thing."
Press and Journal
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
EXCLUSIVE: More Australian signing gems can be sourced by Aberdeen, says ex Don Gavin Rae
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin can land further signing gems in the Australian transfer market, insists former Don Gavin Rae. Four signings have already been secured by Thelin so far during the close season – with three of the new additions coming from a land Down Under. Rae spent 10 years managing in Australia and insists the country is rich in footballing talent capable of making a major impact in Scotland. Winger Nicolas Milanovic is the only signing sourced by Aberdeen directly from Australia, having been secured from A-League Western Sydney Wanderers. Aberdeen secured recently crowned A-League Player of the Year Milanovic for a transfer fee of around £400,000. Australia international striker Kusini Yengi will join the Dons on a free following the expiration of his contract at Championship Portsmouth. Yengi been capped 11 times for Australia, scoring six times for his country. Former Australian under-23 international keeper Nick Suman will also join the Reds following the end of his Cove Rangers deal. Milanovic, Yengi and Suman have ALL previously played for Australian top-flight club Western Sydney Wanderers. Rae said: 'I watched a lot of the A-League when I was in Australia. 'The Australian market is getting tapped into more and more by clubs in the United Kingdom. 'It is definitely a market Aberdeen should continue to use. 'There are players from Australia all over Europe now and plenty in the UK. 'Australian players can definitely do a job in Scotland and I'm sure we will see more of them coming across in the future.' Keeper Suman will move to Aberdeen having spent the previous two seasons in the Granite City with Cove. Likewise, striker Yengi has adapted to the British game, and climate, after two campaigns at Portsmouth. Only Milanovic will be jetting into the Granite City from Down Under to join the Dons. Within days of agreeing a pre-contract with Aberdeen, the highly-rated winger received a debut call-up to the Australia international squad. Milanovic was named in a squad for a training camp in Abu Dhabi last month. The 23-year-old recently received the Johnny Warren Medal, for the best player in the Australian A-League. Milanovic pitched in with 12 goals and six assists in 25 league matches. Australia recently secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals – and making the squad for next summer will be a target for Aberdeen's new signings. Rae, who managed in the Australian North Premier League, said: 'Milanovic is a really good signing for Aberdeen. 'He's a talented player who can come in off the wing and score goals. 'Milanovic had a great season with Western Sydney Wanderers and definitely has the ability to make an impact in Scotland. 'The call-up to the Australian squad was just reward after winning player of the year. 'There's obviously going to be a period of getting acclimatised for Milanovic as it is a different game in Scotland. 'It is a lot more blood and thunder in Scotland than Australia. 'With Australia being so hot, it can be a slower game at times – although they are very physically fit. 'So, I don't think there will be any issue there with Milanovic. 'It will be more about just getting used to the speed of the game in Scotland. 'As soon as he does that, he will do well for Aberdeen. 'He will score goals.' Capped 14 times by Scotland, Rae managed Hakoah Sydney City East and Rydalmere Lions during his time in Australia. The former Dons, Rangers, Cardiff City and Dundee midfielder is back in the UK and based in Manchester. Rae, 47, played for home city club Aberdeen from 2012-13. He reckons winning the Scottish Cup will help Aberdeen boss Thelin land more summer transfer targets. The trophy success secured guaranteed European group stage action for Aberdeen in the upcoming campaign. Thelin and his recruitment team are in advanced talks with more transfer targets. Rae said: 'Guaranteed European group stage football is huge when Aberdeen are trying to attract players to sign. 'There's that lure of the group stages until at least mid-December which is an amazing opportunity and a real lure for signing targets. 'Winning a Scottish Cup after such a long time is massive for Aberdeen. 'I was at Hampden with my family when they last won the Scottish Cup in 1990. 'To see them do it again and win a first trophy since 2014 was huge. 'Winning the Scottish Cup will hopefully lead to Aberdeen kicking on even more next season. 'Having a strong Aberdeen football club is massive for the city. 'When the team does well and is strong, it is reflected in the atmosphere in the city and the businesses there – and long may it continue.'
