Stefan Giglio is a man on a mission. His will to help Malta achieve a second positive result on the trot aside, the 25-year-old also wants to demonstrate that his talents have not diminished since he left Bulgarian football in summer of 2003.

Giglio spent nearly three years in Bulgaria after signing for CSKA Sofia from Valletta. After two seasons, he was loaned out to Lokomotiv Sofia before he opted to make a return to Malta and join Sliema Wanderers.

"I am excited about the prospect of playing in Bulgaria almost 15 months since I left," Giglio said yesterday.

"I have fond memories of my stay here but I don't regret the decision to join Sliema. I won a league and cup double in my first season with them and then the Footballer of the Year award.

"Now I'm back in Bulgaria to play for Malta and I'm fully focused on the task at hand. I'm always 100 per cent committed when I pull on the national team's jersey but this match gives me added motivation.

"A strong performance would go a long way towards showing that I'm still the same player who won the respect of many during my time here."

Giglio revealed that his manager had told him of interest from two Bulgarian clubs soon after leaving CSKA but he stuck with his guns and honoured his commitment with Sliema.

On Malta's chances of building on the 0-0 draw with Iceland, Giglio commented:

"We are coming from a positive result which we needed so badly. Conceding seven goals against Sweden really hurt our pride but I'm glad we produced the right reaction.

"Our satisfaction after the game owed not only to the result but also to the manner of our performance on the night... there was a massive improvement. Saturday's game has helped to raise our erstwhile battered morale but it has not blurred our respect for Bulgaria as one of the strongest teams in the group.

"They have a very strong squad but we're not discouraged. Our prudent tactics against Iceland paid off. I believe that with the right attitude, we can aspire to gain another decent result."

Judging by their participation at the Euro 2004 and their start to the World Cup qualifiers, Bulgaria have reclaimed their status as one of the top teams on the continent. The appointment of Hristo Stoichkov as national coach in summer also seems to have galvanized Bulgarian football.

"Stoichkov is a symbol of the greatest era in the nation's football history.

"His appointment was a perfect move because everyone here look up to him and the supporters love him," Giglio said.