Comeback kid is keen tomake a name for himself
He might be tasked with replacing departed star Liberato Cacace at Wellington Phoenix this season, but returning All White James McGarry wants to be his own man in his second stint with the A-League club.
The 22-year-old has rejoined the Phoenix following an eye-opening two-year spell with Dutch Eredivisie club Willem II – coach Ufuk Talay swapping one New Zealand international left-back with another.
Cacace enjoyed a breakout season in 2019-20 and earned himself amove to Belgian Pro League club SintTruidense V.V, opening the door for McGarry to return after sitting on the bench in the Netherlands.
But McGarry said he does not feel any added pressure stepping into the boots vacated by the Harry Kewell medallist and is just excited to play football again after a season spent largely on the sidelines.
‘‘I’m a different player than Libby. I’m a different person than Libby. I’m not necessarily looking at Libby and trying to copy anything,’’ McGarry said from Wollongong, where the Phoenix have set up camp for the 2020-21 A-League season.
‘‘Obviously he’s done amazingly well, but I’m looking to play as I play and do what I do well, and just enjoy playing.’’
As the only specialist left-back in the squad, McGarry should be given ample opportunity to cement a starting spot at the Phoenix, something he has craved ever since he signed his first pro contract in 2015.
He hoped a consistent run of game time will give him the best chance of returning to Europe in the future, while it should also keep him in the frame for the Tokyo Olympics next year.
‘‘I know now what it takes to play at the top and I’ve still got massive ambitions to go back there, but in this time and place playing for the Phoenix in the A-League is what I need to kick-start my career.’’
The son of All Whites great Mike McGarry started his professional career at the Phoenix five years ago but played only 15 minutes across three seasons, his game time severely restricted by injury and illness.
But despite the fact he barely kicked a ball in the A-League, McGarry managed to secure a big move to Dutch Eredivisie club Willem II when his contract expired in 2018.
After impressing during a fourweek pre-season, McGarry was thrust into the starting 11 for the first two games against both VVV
Venlo and Groningen, albeit in the more advanced role as a left-winger.
However, his first team chances quickly dried up after the second game. He made three more appearances in his first season and tallied just six minutes in the second.
McGarry felt he was unfairly judged on his performances as an attacker without getting a decent crack in his preferred position at left-back. His final game for Willem II was in August 2019.
‘‘I remember the first five or 10 minutes, it was like ‘wow, this is not what I expected’ but as soon as it happened my focus was just on the game, and I think I played OK. I definitely didn’t play poorly. I just didn’t get any assists or goals, and that’s what they want from their attackers.
‘‘When I look back now, with games under my belt, I know I can play at that level. I didn’t get many games at the Phoenix so I went over there a little bit inexperienced, and that’s massive for a young player. Young players just need to play, they need games and just consistency, and I didn’t necessarily have that. If I get a chance next time, I’ll know what I need now.’’
Riding the bench at Willem II, McGarry said the Phoenix expressed an interest in bringing him back to Wellington in the New Year, when it became apparent that Cacace’s days at the club were numbered.
However, it took a bit longer than he would have liked for a contract to materialise, thanks to disruptions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, so you can understand why he’s so hungry to get back on the pitch.
‘‘With Covid messing things around it was a bit messy for a few months so I ended up at home for about six months kind of in limbo, but it ended up working out well and I’ve signed up back at the Phoenix and I’m super happy to be back.’’
The Phoenix open the 2020-21 A-League season away to Brisbane Roar on December 29.