Mihael Kovačević

Mihael Kovacevic (born 6 March 1988 in Basel) is a Swiss footballer of Croatian descent,^[1] who is currently without a club, after being released by Ross County. Kovacevic, who plays as a defender,had previously played for Koper, Dundee United and Zadar.

Club career

Mihael began his career with spells across Europe, playing for BSC Old Boys in Switzerland, Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia and FC Koper in Slovenia, before arriving in Scotland for a trial period at Tannadice.

After impressing manager Craig Levein in a trial, Mihael signed for Dundee United during the January 2008 transfer window.^[2][3] He made his debut a month later in a battling 0–0 draw with Celtic at Celtic Park. He won a runners-up medal in the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final, which was only his second match for the club, after the narrow defeat to Rangers at Hampden Park. Mihael made a further three first team starts before the end of the 2007–08 season.

He made more of an impact on the first team the following year, sharing the right back position with Seán Dillon. Both defenders played approximately the same amount of matches throughout the season. With manager Craig Levein utilising Mihael for his defensive abilities instead of Sean’s more attacking style of play when required. Soon at the start of the season, Kovacevic suffered a broken cheekbone, which results him wear a specially-fitted facemask.^[4] Following from his injury, Kovacevic was an un-used substitute for the last six matches.

The following season, Kovacevic continued his run in the first team and in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup, he scored his first goal for the club, which equalised in a 3-3 draw against Rangers, which results both team to play in the replay; Dundee would win 1-0 in the replay match. After a match-draw against Rangers, Kovacevic made criticism on Kris Boyd for diving in order to win a penalty during the match, which they win two penalties^[5] and hit back on referee Dougie McDonald for his role during the match.^[6][7] With the win over Rangers, Dundee United would progress to the final and Kovacevic was part of the United team that finished third in the 2009–10 Scottish Premier League and won the 2009–10 Scottish Cup. Another match against Rangers, but in the league with both side drew 0-0, Kovacevic was sent-off for a professional foul after he aimed kicking at Kyle Lafferty. After the match, Manager Peter Houston says Kovacevic deserve to be sent-off.^[8] Towards the end of the season, Kovacevic suffered an injury on his muscular problems.^[9] Eventually, Kovacevic made a return, just in time for the final.^[10]

Ahead of a new season, Kovacevic damaged cruciate knee ligaments during a trip to visit his family in Switzerland, which will leave him out for four months,^[11] leading the club wanted him to go on a knee operation.^[12] His injury led him having his future at Dundee is uncertain as his contract set to expire in January.^[13] Eventually, Kovacevic signed a new contract, that will keep him until the end of the season.^[14] However, his injury was put out again and shortly making a recovery, Kovacevic expected to make a comeback.^[15] Towards the end of the season, Kovacevic received a red card once again in a 4-0 against Rangers. He was released from the club after spending most of the 2010–11 season out injured.^{[citation needed]}

After not being offered a new deal with Dundee United in summer of 2011, he signed for NK Zadar as a free agent in October 2011.^[16] Kovacevic made his debut with NK Zadar in Croatian First League against his former club Dinamo Zagreb, in a game which Zadar surprisingly won against Champions League contestant.^[17]

Kovacevic then returned to Scotland in July 2012, signing for Ross County, having previously went on the trial with the club.^[18][19] After the move, Kovacevic says the club can stay in the SPL very unexpectedly.^[20] Having spent time on the bench for the next five games, Kovacevic finally made his debut against - his former club in a 1-1 draw, having come on as a substitute for Ross Tokely on 14 September 2012. Due to the absent of Tokely, Kovacevic soon took up the right-back and since established himself in the first team.^{[citation needed]}

It was confirmed on 21 May 2013 that Kovacevic had been handed a contract extension as a reward for the fifth placed finish in the SPL.^[21]

On 22 January 2014, Kovacevic was released by Ross County.

International career

He has played for both Switzerland and Croatia at Under-21 level.

In November 2008, Kovacevic received his first call-up to the Switzerland under-21 side.^[22]

Personal life

On 31 December 2010, it announced that Kovacevic is to appear in court after being accused of driving at 104 mph in a 40 mph zone, having driven his Audi A8 4-2 Quattro dangerously and at "grossly excessive speeds" on Dundee's East Dock Street, which happened two months ago.^[23][24] After a month of the case, Kovacevic was sentenced to carry out the community service and fined him £700 and disqualified him from driving for 14 months. Kovacevic says he admitted driving dangerously and at grossly excessive speeds, having being confused over the speed limit.^[25] As to carry out community service, Kovacevic was told by the court that he needed to do the community service in order to an example" to young people.^[26] Shortly after the court, The Scottish Sun named Kovacevic as the Scottish football’s worst speeding offenders.^[27]

During his time at Dundee United, Kovacevic share a flat with team-mates Andis Shala and David Robertson, while Morgaro Gomis, Francisco Sandaza and Prince Buaben live next door in Dundee.^[28]

Honours

Dundee United

• Scottish Cup : 1

2010

• Scottish League Cup Runner-up: 1

2007–08

References

External links

• Profile at Dundee United official site
• Mihael Kovačević career stats at Soccerbase
• Stats from Slovenia at PrvaLiga
• Mihael Kovačević at nogometni-magazin (Croatian)
• Mihael Kovacevic at Transfermarkt