Kilkenny, currently scrapping away in the relegation zone with his Championship side Bristol City, said the towering striker was an influential figure in his career during his first two seasons at the Blues.

Despite his own club woes, the 26-year-old admits to following Heskey’s progress Down Under, including the fact he’s been in rich goal scoring form for the Hunter outfit.

Kilkenny said he was delighted for the former England international, adding: “He’s renowned for not scoring so many goals but obviously he helps other strikers score goals.

“You look at all his partners they’ve all gone on and scored a lot of goals and that’s from the help of Emile Heskey - he probably doesn’t get the rewards and the accolades that he deserves.

“I played with him at Birmingham City about five or six years ago and I know that he’s a top player. It was great to play with him and he definitely had an influence on my career, especially as I was so young.”

Kilkenny was just 19 when he first ran onto the pitch alongside Heskey, describing him as a “gentle giant”.

“To be honest he’s a very very nice guy, down to earth and very easy to talk to,” he added. “He’s not just a great player he’s a good person as well.

“Obviously I lost contact with him because you meet a lot of people within the game but when I left we kept in contact for maybe six months or so. He’s a top man and if I did see him we’d probably have a good chat.”

The English-born Aussie also hinted at a return to Australia further down the track.

“I would love to come and play in the A-League one day if I got the offer,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen in the future.

“Obviously I keep a watch and know quite a few players who play in it – I would never rule it out.”

For the present, though, his focus is on the Robins who came away with a draw against Blackpool last weekend bringing to an end a seven match losing streak.

Kilkenny almost became an instant hero when his shot hit the bar just 10 minutes into the game. Bristol City are currently second last on the championship table but the Aussie feels the team have turned a corner following the 1-1 result.

Coming back from injury after missing a good chunk of the season due to injury, Kilkenny is close to full fitness and hoping a return to regular football will also see him back in national team contention.

The Socceroos are at the pointy end of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, currently sitting second in their group and ahead of Iraq and Oman on goal difference.

“Hopefully now I’m fit and playing regularly, hopefully I’ll get a call up,” he said.

“Holger keeps in contact with all the players. I respect him massively – I’ve always said that. I think he’s a very good manager and I think he’s done brilliant for the Socceroos.

“He’s very easy to talk to, gets his point across very well and gets us to play good football.

“All the World Cup qualifiers are going to be tough – we all know that. But we’re confident as a squad that we’ll qualify for the World Cup. Obviously you’re going to lose a couple of games but I think we’ll definitely be there.”