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Mariners call off Ryan's Rangers stint

6th January, 2013
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A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners say goalkeeper Mat Ryan will no longer make a hotly-criticised trip to Scotland to trial with Rangers due to a minor shoulder injury.

The Mariners announced on Sunday that Ryan would miss this weekend’s big clash with third-placed Melbourne Victory to spend 10 days training with the fallen Glasgow club.

On Monday they released a statement saying Ryan’s trip to Scotland had been “indefinitely postponed” due to a shoulder knock.

“While the injury is minor, both clubs have agreed that it is in Ryan’s best interests to remain in Australia under the care of the Mariners’ medical department for the foreseeable future,” the club said in a statement.

The injury is so minor that Ryan is expected to be fit for the match against the Victory in Launceston on Saturday.

Rangers play in the fourth tier of Scottish football after financial troubles led to their demotion.

And 20-year-old Ryan’s proposed trip to Scotland raised plenty of eyebrows, including those of former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.

“I don’t know what he’s thinking. I don’t know what the club’s thinking,” Bosnich told Fox Sports on Sunday.

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“He’s going for a 10-day trial for the right to play against the likes of Elgin City, Montrose, Clyde and Stirling, and he’s going to miss a top of the table clash with Melbourne Victory.

“This is one of Australia’s best young talents and he’s going to go down to the fourth tier of Scottish football.

“The Scottish Premier League isn’t as good as the A-League.”

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