The wily captain developed his skills in his homeland playing for NK Izola and then really caught the eye of Europe's top scouts when he was with Partizan Belgrade.

Milanic was pained to head overseas but after careful consideration decided to further his footballing career with Sturm Graz at the beginning of 1993.

Has now been with the Austrian side for more than six years and has helped them win three Austrian Cups and two league championships.

Has played five times for the former-Yugoslavia and only their exclusion from the 1992 competition denied him the chance to play.

Made his Slovenian debut against Cyprus in November 1992 and played a vital role in the play-off games against Ukraine.