CAP CALL WOULD BE OZ-SOME FOR RYAN
PARTICK THISTLE star Ryan Edwards is determined to fulfil his Socceroo dream by earning a call-up for the Confederations Cup in June.
The midfielder was drafted into the original 30-man squad named by Australia boss Ange Postecoglou’s for next week’s World Cup 2016 qualifiers against Iraq and the UAE.
He failed to make the final 23 but Edwards said: “It was an incredible honour.
“The feeling I had when I got called to the 30 was really amazing. Then you think you have a really good chance to make the 23 so obviously it’s a little bit disappointing. But it’s nice to be on the radar. It’s nice to know I’m getting watched.
“I’d like to thank the manager and the club for giving me the opportunity to go and play and show myself. The midfield area for the Australian national team is really strong and the boys getting called up probably deserved it as well.
“The call-up to the initial 30-man squad has given me a great buzz and great drive to know I’m close now.
“The next camp is in June for the Confederations Cup which will be massive. Now it’s just trying to make that next step, try to finish the season really strongly and keep knocking on the door.”
Edwards is enjoying a fine season for the Jags and knows a top-six finish could help force Postecoglou’s hand come June.
The 23-year-old will face Kilmarnock today hoping to go five points clear of the Ayrshire men as the race for sixth spot hots up. Edwards said: “Outside of Celtic we are the in-form team. We’re in a position where we’re not chasing teams, we’re looking up.
“Since last season and the start of this one we were always chasing. Now we believe we’re in the position where we deserve to be and it’s all about trying to stay there.”