Emirates over four years ago.

The midfielder then returned home at what should have been his physical peak, briefly re-entering the spotlight during a short spell at Adelaide United in 2016, but was largely underwhelming - he failed to gel with Guillermo Amor and the Reds slipped to ninth place.

Holland during his spell with Adelaide United

An even-worse spell in China followed, and it seemed for a moment as if Holland's career was waning to an unfortunate end.

But just as Austria salvaged his future in 2011, it has again in 2018. LASK Linz - a historical yoyo club and one of the Bundesliga's smallest, with an average crowd of just over 4,000 people per match - is rapidly heading towards success.

Two seasons ago they were playing in Austria's second division,29-year-old has played 90 minutes ever game bar two this season, making him one of the most regular performing Aussies in Europe – and Holland still has a Socceroos recall at the back of his mind.

"In my opinion there is nothing better in football than to represent your country," Holland recently told World Football Index. "It is the pinnacle.

"Of course I love playing club football but playing for Australia is fantastic.

"I would love to still be involved with the national team again in (the) future because it is something so special."

There may have even been a small element of jealousy for Holland watching James Jeggo, who plays for Holland's old club Austria Wien and sits three places below LASK in the Bundesliga, make his Socceroos debut against Lebanon.

But