- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Queensland coach Frank Farina has laughed off Roar enforcer Danny Tiatto’s extraordinary call to replace form goalkeeper Griffin McMaster with No.1 stopper Liam Reddy for the A-League finals.
Tiatto is an intimidating man – but Farina could only see the funny side when the former Socceroo was brought up at training in Brisbane on Friday.
Despite McMaster’s recent form, the straight-shooting Tiatto this week claimed he preferred to have Reddy behind him in the finals due to his superior experience.
It’s enough to create a rift at some clubs, but Farina said the comment had merely prompted a “giggle” at training.
“Fortunately Danny doesn’t have a say,” Farina laughed.
“Look, Danny is Danny. I have known him for a long time. I don’t want him to change, put it that way.
“If he has his opinion on things I don’t have a problem with that – but I pick the team.”
McMaster is hoping for his fifth straight appearance for the Roar this season in next Friday’s minor semi-final, first leg clash against Central Coast at Gosford.
At one stage the third-choice Roar `keeper, McMaster has covered himself in glory since initially filling in for an injured Reddy.
So much so that the 25-year-old has kept his place at the business end of the season despite Reddy recovering from a hamstring complaint.
But Tiatto clearly prefers Reddy.
The former No.1 keeper was relegated to the National Youth League last weekend before warming the bench for Queensland’s 4-2 win against Perth at Suncorp Stadium – a result that sealed third spot for the Roar.
Farina said McMaster and Tiatto shook hands at training after the comments became public.
“Look they had a laugh about it yesterday, a bit of a giggle,” he said.
“(But) Danny never says sorry, he’s like that. He jokingly said to the boys the other day `at least I am not a liar’.
“But it’s my job to pick the team which I think will do the job for us.
“If you want to debate for the next week whether that is Liam or Griffin go for it.”
Farina had hinted that McMaster would keep the No.1 job – for now.
“Liam has performed well and since Griffin has been in he has performed well,” he said.
“So whoever does well enough over this next two weeks will get the nod but whoever it is will do a good job for us.
“Competition is very healthy, for all players. It is a positive thing.
“If it was negative for any individual player they shouldn’t be at this level.”
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.