Scottish revolution kicks goals
IT’S the Scottish revolution that is driving Australia’s World Cup hopes and dreams.
Think of it as a mix of VB and Iron-bru, sausage sangas with a side of haggis and that sweet, intoxicating underdog spirit that binds Australians and Scots.
Scotland has not qualified for this World Cup, nor any since France 1998, but they’ve found a team – beyond “anyone but England” – to get behind in Qatar: “the Jockeroos”.
Scotland has been kind to the Socceroos – and not just the Braveheart trio with Australian parentage of Harry Souttar, Martin Boyle and Jason Cummings.
Seven of Graham Arnold’s squad have been called on from the Scottish Premier League to spearhead Australia’s campaign – and give the World Cup a potent mix of Scottish fire and Aussie grit.
“The Scottish League is obviously super fast, super competitive and a very strong league and I think we just take those traits while we’re here because of how we were playing at club level,” says Cam Devlin, tenacious midfielder for Scotland’s Heart of Midlothian.
“So we just try and take those traits into the national team and obviously if any of us get a game and that’s what we’ll do.”
Devlin is far from alone. Scottish connections litter the squad.
Keanu Baccus’ career has taken off since a move to St Mirren this season – to the point where he’s in the sights of a number of English clubs eager to snap up the physical defensive midfielder. So, too, Aaron Mooy – Australia’s most recognisable and decorated player – who has enjoyed a career rejuvenation under the watchful eye of former Socceroos mentor Ange Postecoglou at Scottish giants Celtic.
Every other week Mooy finishes a game at Celtic and goes and shakes hands with a countryman – such is the proliferation of Australian talent in the Scottish Premier League, where seven Socceroos play their club football.
“They’re doing well and bring lots of energy into the group, lots of hunger,” Mooy said of Scotland-based midfielders Baccus and Devlin. “They want to prove themselves and this is important in football.”
Meanwhile, Boyle was for the third day in a row a notable absentee from Socceroos training, but was this time joined by Souttar and midfield weapon Ajdin Hrustic – with the trio whisked away to perform individual duties away from the main group.
Souttar and Hrustic, who had taken part in a lighter session on Tuesday evening, were not tested as coach Graham Arnold put Australia through their most intense session to date, with next week’s opener against France fast approaching.
The major concern is Boyle, who hasn’t featured since injuring his knee playing for Hibernian last month. The Socceroos can replace the star up until 24 hours before their match against France, with Marco Tilio having been flown in as cover.