Newcastle coach Branko Culina has tipped his Socceroos son Jason to fire for Gold Coast this A-League season after being unfairly criticised for his performances at the World Cup.

The 29-year-old midfielder came under fire from some critics after being used in various roles by Pim Verbeek in South Africa with his second A-League campaign set to be closely scrutinised.

But father Branko has baulked at suggestions Culina’s game had declined, saying he would prove himself as a “true professional” again this season.

“Someone like Jason is always going to be under the microscope but I personally felt he was harshly treated at the World Cup,” Culina said.

“Some sections of the Australian media and the support was scathing of Jason in some respects that he was probably a bit negative in his approach.

“But if a coach wants you to play a certain way…”

The Jets boss was in Europe during the World Cup and said his son’s performances were rated far higher by pundits there than they were back home.

With the new domestic season set to kick off next week, Culina even believed his son had improved as a player by returning to Australia.

“I think because Jason is in the A-League, people think he’s gone backwards,” Culina said.

“I don’t think so, I think the A-League has provided Jason with an opportunity to extend himself.

“I saw during (last) season something from Jason in an attacking sense that I hadn’t seen since he left FC Twente (in 2005 before joining PSV Eindhoven).

“That, in my opinion, has made him a better player.”

The Jets coach said Culina should be given more credit for knocking back more money in Europe to return to the A-League while he still had plenty to offer as a player.

Closer to home, Branko was confident Newcastle could improve further on the impressive performance last season, in which they reached the second week of the finals.

The Jets have lost the services of former captain Matt Thompson, Jin-Hyung Song and Fabio Vignaroli but have recruited smartly, bringing in the likes of former Socceroos midfielder Kasey Wehrman, Ruben Zadkovich and Jeremy Brockie.

“Realistically, we’ve lost a couple of key players … but I’d like to think we’ve not only got new players to replace them but do a bit better,” Culina said.

© AAP 2012

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