Gold Coast’s Bleiberg happy with Socceroos boss Osieck’s style

Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg believes the new attacking style of Socceroos coach Holger Osieck will benefit club captain Jason Culina.

United’s marquee man was a vital ingredient in the national team’s two recent friendlies against Switzerland (0-0) and Poland (2-1) and Bleiberg says it was mainly to do with the fact that Osieck gave him freedom to push forward and not play in a defensive mindset.

"Jason was criticised before for playing sideways and backwards when he played for Australia," Bleiberg said.

"It was a different style - what he was asked to do for the Socceroos and what he was asked to do for the Gold Coast, where we encourage him to play attacking football.

"Now he's being asked to play the same way for club and country and he's much more comfortable.

"With 90 per cent influence from the new national coach (Osieck) and 10 per cent influence from Gold Coast United's style, he pushed forward and he played very well for Australia in the past two matches."

Culina will be in action for United this weekend despite playing for Australia during the week. Gold Coast meet co-league leaders Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Sunday – kick-off is at 3:00pm local time (5:00pm AEST).