Has Milligan's time arrived?

Talent ... Mark Milligan is knocking down Holger Osieck's door. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Mark Milligan has often been considered the jack of all trades, the master of none, but he has all but shed the unwanted tag to emerge as a serious contender for a starting spot in the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier against Oman on March 26.

Playing as a defensive midfielder, Milligan produced a timely reminder of what he can bring to the national team with a dominant performance in Melbourne Victory's 1-1 draw with Sydney FC on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.

In an all-encompassing display, Milligan scored the opening goal, ran the Victory midfield with his ball-winning and clever passing and then took it upon himself to ensure danger man Alessandro Del Piero did not cause too much damage with his set pieces.

As his teammates started to flounder, the 27-year-old was the leadership rock. The statisticians would have lost count of the number of times he was in his own penalty area heading clear dangerous corners or free kicks as a desperate Sydney fought to keep its season alive in the second half.

It was the sort of wholehearted and professional performance that would not have escaped Socceroos coach Holger Osieck, who was in the stands.

With Carl Valeri injured, Osieck must find a replacement to work with Mile Jedinak, who appears to have one of the midfield spots sewn up after a stellar season with Crystal Palace.

Milligan may well have done enough to earn the other spot against Oman at ANZ Stadium tomorrow week though he knows that nothing is a given.

"Yes, absolutely," Milligan said after the game on Saturday night when asked if he was looking to start against Oman. "But the first step is the (training) camp (which starts this week).

"It will be a long camp and I'll be missing Victory's next game so I want to fight for some sort of game time, if not a starting spot."

With captain Lucas Neill suspended, there was a suggestion Osieck would look at him as a central defender -- one of a number of positions he has been used in both at club and international level. He has also played at right back.

It's that versatility that some believe has held him back at international level.

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