Mile Sterjovski ironically produced a near best on field performance for Australia, in the same week he announced his departure from Derby County. If nothing else it underlined the fact that Rams never saw the best of the Aussie international.

Sterjovski scored a great goal and ran rampant attacking Bahrain down the right for 90 minutes putting in dangerous crosses ivolving himself in all the best attacking play of the night. It was a performance that only saddened this fellow Australian further, as it was the player i knew that turned up in the green and gold instead of the one that had been masquerading in a Rams shirt for 18 months.

Actually masquerading is way to harsh a word as there is no doubt whatever led to Mile and Paul Jewell falling out, affected the player deeply. Anyone who knows how genuinely talented the player is, would have been shocked by his lack of game time and opportunity at the Rams.To see a player who played at the 2006 world cup with grit and determination, becoming a favourite of Socceroos manager Guus Hiddink and then not even able to make the bench of a Championship club, was baffling at best.

When he did return after the departure of Jewell, he was a shadow of his former self struggling to get back into form as pressure grew for him to prove to Nigel he was worth the final year of his contract. He was always going to be at a disadvantage as unlike Teale and Savage who both showed enough to save their skins, Mile was never loaned out and this alone would have severly affected his fitness, a fact that fans when roasting the player seemed quite happy to forget.

Even Clough himself noted he was way down on his fitness having not been playing or so long. Sadly once he did get his chance the form never came and it was really a case of 'when' he would leave rather than 'if'.

The Australian media have reported the move heavily and especially the quandry regarding his desire being to stay and fight for a place at Derby but deciding on the move because he had to be garaunteed playing time to have any hope of securing a spot in the squad for the 2010 world cup. It was only after discussing it with Aussie coach Pim Verbeek, he agreed to the move as without his blessing he intended on staying at the Rams.

On his return to Australia for the qualifier as well as training with the squad, he took part in a specially designed 'boot camp' with respected Australian strength and conditioning coach Hayden Knowles. Some of these sessions took place in 45 degree plus
heat in the lead up to the Qatar game whic showed his genuine desire to regain his full fitness for the season ahead.

He joins fellow Ram Andy Todd at Perth Glory in the A-League who secured his move to the West Australian club last month. Perth were once the powerhouse of Australian soccer but since the formation of the new league 4 years ago they have struggled to make an impression on the competition. The two Rams players can easily be considered 'big name' signings
for a local club and if can stay fit and on the park could have a big impact in the new season.

Andy had as turbulent time at the club as Mile but besides being compared to his brilliant father at least we will always have that Superman like flying header that resulted in him scoring on the opening day of the 07/08 Premiership season. It not just saved the Rams a point it gave us all something to shout about, sadly things went a little quiet after that........!!

I for one will be watching both of them with great interest and hope both do well and put the trials and tribulations of recent years behind them to produce valuable performances for their new club. I have always been a big fan of Mile and will always regret that he never was able to make an impact at my beloved Rams.

It does make you wonder though if Perth Glory were only sent the DVD of both players game agains Manchester United in their 1-0 victory. Both players were instrumental in the win and was easily their most memorable display for the Rams. It would impress any possible suitors and in this case may just have done that.

Luckily for them Perth Glory never enquired with Derby fans or the reviews would have made 'The Godfather 3' seem like the most popular movie ever made.

Photo: Action Images

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