Profile of Igor Biscan on Famous Like Me

Igor Bišćan (born May 4, 1978 in Zagreb, Croatia) is a Croatian football player, who plays as a central midfielder. He currently plays for Panathinaikos and Croatia.

Bišćan began to amass an impressive level of playing experience, represented Croatia at youth football level and captaining his club, Dinamo Zagreb, in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

He was bought by former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier for £5.5 million in December 2000, having been sought after by Juventus, Barcelona, Ajax and A.C. Milan. He was heralded as the new Zidane. However, Houllier inexplicably played Bišćan out of position, opting to play him sometimes as a winger or full back, but most often as a centre back, where he played for 39 games in the 2003-04 season.

Whilst not an automatic choice for the first team under Rafael Benitez, Bišćan is played in his favourite position when he does get a chance to play, as he did in the recent UEFA Champions League game against Deportivo La Coruna, which was held to be his best performance for the club. He helped create the goal that resulted in Liverpool winning this game 1-0. (It was their first win away in Spain for 21 years).

Bišćan has made ninety appearances for Liverpool, and has scored three goals. The first came in a Worthington Cup semi-final second leg against Crystal Palace at Anfield, which Liverpool won 5-0 on the night. The second came in a 4-2 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Liverpool came from 2-0 down to win 4-2. Biscan came on as a very late substitute and scored with his second touch of the game! His third goal was a late winner in the 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

During his time at Liverpool, Bišćan has made himself a cult hero among the fans, who recognise his work rate despite being played out of position. He has also played 14 games for Croatia, scoring one goal. Nearing the close of the 2004/2005 season, many Liverpool fans agree that he was largely a wasted talent due to inexplicable management by Gerard Houllier and that he undoubtedly is a talented player. Biscan joined Greek side Panathinaikos in July 2005 after he was released by Liverpool FC, having gained a UEFA Champions League winners medal from his time at the club.

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