Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak 'enormous' for Australia, says Ange Postecoglou
Thursday 17 December 2015 12:22, UK
Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak has been praised for his role in helping to develop the Australia team.
The 31-year-old captained the Socceroos as they lifted the Asian Cup after a 2-1 extra-time victory over South Korea back in January and has now won 61 caps for his country.
Australia's success in that tournament has helped earn their head coach Ange Postecoglou the Asian Manager of the Year award and he has paid tribute to Jedinak.
Postecoglou took charge in October 2013 and was tasked with bringing through the next generation of Australian players following the retirement of the likes of Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "Mile has been fantastic for us. When I took over we had to regenerate the team and Mile, Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano were the only experienced players who remained.
"Mile was enormous for us with the young group. Even this year he has stepped it up, he's scoring goals for us and he's a fantastic influence around the group."
Jedinak is one of the few Australians playing in the Premier League at present, but Postecoglou hopes a number of his younger players can make a name for themselves in the future.
The 50-year-old added: "I firmly believe we have got some young guys coming through who will eventually make their own mark.
"It's been a bit of a process to get them the experience required but I've got no doubt that, in the not-too-distant future, you will see players making an impact like some of our greatest did."
