Matt McKay isn’t one for individual acclaim but even he concedes his milestone match on Friday night against Melbourne Victory is worth celebrating.
The veteran Brisbane Roar midfielder will reach 200 A-League games on Friday night, becoming just the sixth player to do so at the same club.
“To get 200 is pretty special,” he said on Thursday.
But for one of the most understated players in the league, it’s never been about himself.
“Titles is what I pride myself on and I’ve got a couple of those so I’m happy with that,” he said
McKay, 33, is hopeful of improving his figures on both counts before his career is out.
The Roar skipper kiboshed any notion of 2016/17 being his last season.
“I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last season, no, I’m definitely sure,” he said.
“I love the game. It’s been my life for a long time now and I’m really looking forward to this season (to) make myself a better player.
“New to the club or old to the club like myself, we want to be successful.
“As a playing group we’ve got a great character and that will show as well this year.
“If we improve as a team we’ll go close this year.”
He also wants a return to the Socceroos setup.
The midfielder was on the pitch when Australia claimed the Asian Cup last year but has been overlooked for recent squads given the A-League has been in hiatus.
“Gone are the days where you’re out of season and you get selected for these teams,” he said.
“If I’m involved in the future it’ll be purely on form so I’m looking forward to getting back into it.”
McKay joins Andrew Durante, Eugene Galekovic John Hutchinson, Archie Thompson and Leigh Broxham as players to have reached a double-century of appearances at the same home.
Coach John Aloisi praised his influence on the club.
“He’s a great club man (and) a great Queenslander,” he said.
“Not only is he captain, he leads by example. It’s no coincidence we win a lot of games in the last five-ten minutes because they just don’t give up.”
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