STAR HOLDS BRECHIN CITY IN HIS HEART

Brechin City have appeared on the global stage ahead of the 2022 World Cup thanks to Australia star Harry Souttar.

The big defender is a member of the Socceroos’ 26man squad for the competition in Qatar.

The former Dundee United defender, now of Stoke City, kicked off his footballing career with Brechin City Boys Club.

Souttar came through the ranks at the Angus club and has been a life-long fan – and even has a Glebe Park season ticket, along with Rangers star brother John and dad Jack.

He arrived in Doha yesterday to find his hotel room door emblazoned with the name of his first club.

The Socceroos shared a video of Souttar arriving at their training base.

It appears each member of Graham Arnold’s squad, on arriving at the World Cup, has been reminded where they got their start in football.

The clip ends with the 6ft 6in stopper’s name appearing alongside room-mate Riley Mcgree and his youth team, Gawler Eagles, on their hotel door.

The 24-year-old could mark his international return after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the qualifiers against Saudi Arabia last year.

He returned to firstteam football with Stoke just last week.

In the video, Souttar greets some of his team-mates and staff and briefly says to the camera: “It feels good to be back in camp.

“I was a long time away but I’m buzzing to be back.”

Australia kickoff their World Cup campaign next Tuesday against reigning champions France.