McCormack like bull at a gate for opener
HE could not make it out of his drive earlier this year but there is no holding back Melbourne City recruit Ross McCormack from an A-League debut tonight.
McCormack’s international clearance has come through and coach Warren Joyce has said the Scottish striker will start in the season opener against Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park.
Infamous for missing an Aston Villa training session because the gates to his house would not open, the 31-yearold is on loan from the English Championship side as an injury replacement player for Bruno Fornaroli (ankle).
They are big shoes to fill and, although McCormack is a proven quantity, he is fighting to get out of a career slump, having described his Villa stint as a “disaster” so far.
Joyce said he had seen positive signs from the former Cardiff City, Leeds United and Fulham marksman, who is expected to lead the attacking line with Tim Cahill away on international duty.
“I think it’s tremendous that a player of his ilk is willing to come at the drop of a hat and start a new season in a country so far away,” he said.
“It shows his hunger, it shows his desire to play.
“It’s a great test for his character that he is willing to test himself.”
City’s other main signing, Polish marquee midfielder Marcin Budzinski, is lacking match fitness and likely to come off the bench, Joyce said.
Brisbane will also have a fresh look with Italian veteran Massimo Maccarone to make his first A-League appearance.