Perth Glory marquee player Mile Sterjovski admits it was a relief to finally get out on the park when called upon during last week’s loss to Sydney FC.
Perth Glory marquee player Mile Sterjovski admits it was a relief to finally get out on the park when called upon during last week’s loss to Sydney FC.
Having played just the one National Youth League game this season -before Saturday night- Sterjovski was called upon, along with Travis Dodd, during the second half of last week’s game against the Sky Blues, the introduction of the pair sparking a serious Glory onslaught that saw Sydney hanging on for dear life.
Despite dominating, Perth were unlucky to lose but the likable Sterjovski hopes it’s the start of brighter things ahead, for himself and the club.
“Definitely,” was Sterjovski’s simple answer when asked if he’d been a relieved man, getting called up to play.
“You know, it kind of felt a bit awkward in a way ’cause I haven’t been involved in so long, but it’s good to be back and hopefully I get some more game time.”
“Obviously it’s been frustrating ’cause I’ve been working hard at training and doing well, but credit to the boys, they’ve had a great start to the season so I can’t complain.”
“(But) I think the important thing now is to turn these three losses around and start getting some wins on the board.”
Sterjovski’s dedication to getting time under his belt stretched to playing in Perth’s National Youth League side the next morning.
Despite playing 40 minutes of football the previous night, and appearing somewhat stiff from his exertions, Sterjovski fronted up at 6PR Stadium at 10am on Sunday morning to take up his role on the left willing in a bid to show coach Ian Ferguson, who was attending, just how willing he is to do the hard yards.
“I put my hand up to play (National Youth League) because I think I definitely need minutes in my legs, I haven’t played much,” Sterjovski said.
“It definitely hurt but I think I’ll benefit from it.”
“So I’m more than happy to put my hand up and play and get as many minutes as I can.”
Despite injuries preventing Sterjovski from playing to his full potential at Glory – the 32-year-old has scored just 11 goals from 46 matches playing as a striker/midfielder – Sterjovski is comfortable with his performances even though he’s determined to lift a notch in this, the last year of his Perth contract.
“I don’t think that I have anything to prove,” Sterjovski said.
“I just want to get out there and play and just want to enjoy football again, it’s been a while, so hopefully I can just stay injury free and enjoy it and win something with Perth Glory.”
