Milligan had been playing every game with the Edinburgh side and became a firm favourite with fans since his arrival last year.

But new coach Paul Heckingbottom has arrived at the club intending to bring in a new younger player to replace Milligan – and used a contract loophole to dump him.

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Hibs boss lifts lid on Milligan exit

Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom has opened up about the surprise decision to release Socceroo midfielder Mark Milligan.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold revealed today that he had spent an hour on the phone to the shellshocked star in the wake of the unexpected club snub.

And he admitted that Milligan was still in his plans for the Socceroos – but that the 33 year old cenntreback/defensive midfielder had ruled out a return to the A-League at this stage.

"I got a call about midnight from him," said Arnie today as he unveiled his experimental Socceroos squad which hadn't included Milligan to allow the coach to blood new stars.

"He was quite surprised of course because he's played nearly every game since he's been there at Hibs. 

"But he's got the intention to carry on and he's got the intention at this moment to stay overseas and to work hard to try to find another club.

"We spoke about him missing this game and he understood the reasons, and he'll search for another club in the off-season."