With the Asian Cup just around the corner Perth Glory FC sharp shooter Andy Keogh has called on Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, to pay special attention to Glory full backs Scott Jamieson and Josh Risdon.
The 28-year old Irishman who has scored five goals so far in the Hyundai A-League, has praised the recent efforts of his teammates and believes the pair should be considered to play in the tournament when it kicks-off in January.
“I’ve heard some comments from the national team coach Ange Postecoglou, that they’re lacking in natural wide players. If you haven’t got those natural wide players, the next best thing is full backs that can bomb on and get around and do a job that a natural wide player can do,” he said.
Australia suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Japan in Osaka last month and Keogh, who has earned 30 caps for the Republic of Ireland, says the Glory defenders can fill the void.
“ Rizzo and Jamo have shown that they can overlap, they can gallop and they can get in good positions and put good balls in. I think it can only help that they’re playing so well and we’re top of the table – it’d be a shame to see both of them get overlooked for the Asian Cup in January.”
Keogh says with Perth sitting at the top of the table it’s an ideal opportunity for even more local players to come under the radar of the national selectors.
“I don’t think Glory has been the best in recent years, so I don’t think it’s just going to change where people are all of a sudden are going to give all the credit to Perth Glory but it’s come to a stage now where we are consistently putting performances in, certain players are consistently putting performances in and people are going to have to start taking notice,” he said.
As far as his own prospects of playing for his country were concerned, Keogh admitted there was a strong fire in his belly to don the national strip once again, but he wasn’t holding his breath.
“There’s no national team talk. The manager there has his set players. It’d be nice to be considered but I think that’s a long shot,” he said.
But Keogh stopped short of ruling a line through his international career, saying he would gladly have a chat with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neil should he come calling.
“You never know, they’ve got some quality players but if they’re looking for someone who has been doing well recently and scoring some goals then I’m your man”.
“I’ve played for them 30 times, I want to add to that. I want to score more goals.”
The Irishman will have his chance to score more and add to his goal tally when Glory faces Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, December 4.
Kick-off is at 4.30pm WST.
Perth Glory returns to nib Stadium on December 12 to host the Newcastle Jets,
Click here to get your tickets to the game.
Don’t forget you can still become a Perth Glory FC member. Click here for more details.
