Duff could prove the real star for the A-League

With Duff, however, fans will be watching someone who is a true professional

SPANISH superstar David Villa will be the one grabbing all the headlines after his sensational entrance in to the A-League fray, but I want to sing the praises of another Melbourne City signing – Damien Duff.

With all the fanfare surrounding Villa’s arrival in Australia this week, Duff had flown under the radar somewhat since he landed Down Under a couple of months ago.

All the talk had been about the rebirth of Melbourne Heart as City, and subsequently about Villa’s goal five minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw against Sydney FC on Saturday night.

It was, of course, no less than everyone expected from a player who has scored 59 times in 97 games for his country.

By the time his 10-game stint from New York City comes to an end, the 32-year-old will undoubtedly become one of the best imports to have played in the Australian competition.

In fact, a poll on Fox Sports during Saturday night’s game ended with 68% of viewers voting that Villa was already the best overseas star to have graced the A-League.

That might be so. But I reckon in a few years we could be saying the same about Duff.

For the past couple of seasons we have seen the likes of Emile Heskey, Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton and William Gallas struggle to make am impact on the competition for one reason or another after arriving to bells and whistles.

It seems with Duff, however, fans will be watching someone who is a true professional, who even at 35 is willing to give his all for his new club and is not just here to retire ungracefully.

Just in case we forgot just how good a player Duff has been, here’s a brief look at what he achieved in a stellar career before moving to our shores.

While at Blackburn Rovers he won the League Cup and at Chelsea he won two English Premier League titles, and another League Cup.

When he moved to Newcastle United he helped that club to a UEFA Intertoto Cup crown and also got to the Europa League final alongside Mark Schwarzer while at Fulham.

On the international front he played for the Republic of Ireland for 14 years after making his debut in 1998 and won 100 caps in a distinguished career.

I know it’s only one game, but if his performance against Sydney on Saturday night is anything to go by, then he is not just here for the ride.

In fact, he could prove just as important to coach John van’t Schip as a certain Spanish striker everyone has been talking about.