- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou says midfielder Matt McKay should be a permanent fixture in Socceroos’ teams for years to come following his breakout performances at the Asian Cup.
“I said at the start of the year he had the opportunity to become one of the elite players of the comp and he’s probably surpassed that to one who could be a national team regular for many years to come,” said Postecoglou who loses talented young defender Luke DeVere to Korea this week.
“I still think he can get better, I think there’s still improvement in him.
“The kind of person he is and the kind of player he is, he’ll be thinking that as well.”
While the 28 year-old left midfielder recently penned a three-year A-League deal with Postecoglou’s history-chasing Roar, his Australian coach is not concerned about losing his star to an overseas offer.
“We want the best for our players,” said Postecoglou.
“That doesn’t change. Luke (DeVere) and anyone else who may move on to better pastures we’ll take great pride in that.”
McKay is more than happy to remain in the A-League with the Roar, but he hasn’t ruled out heading overseas if the move is right.
His sublimely-timed cross to set up Harry Kewell’s’s 117-minute header against Iraq to advance the Socceroos to the Asian Cup semis would have come under notice of English Premier League scouts.
He insists he’s settled at the in-form club who’ve gone 22 straight games without defeat, but he hasn’t shut the door on returning overseas after brief loan stints in Korea and China in the past.
“It’s not the end for me for going overseas but I’ve signed a long-term deal (with Brisbane),” McKay said.
“I didn’t sign that because I wanted to leave.
“If something big comes up, I’d look to go.”
As one of only two foundation players left at the Roar, along with Massimo Murdocca, McKay has been instrumental in steering the side to the top of the league this season.
The chance to build something special at the club was an incentive to stay.
“It is and obviously being there from the start,” McKay said.
“We still haven’t achieved anything but we’ve got the right signs and the whole idea now is to keep the squad together.
“With success you get interest from other clubs, and we’ve seen that with Luke.”
While DeVere’s move has drawn criticism from some, McKay denied it was a slap in the face to the A-League club.
“I would have loved to have him stay out the rest of the season,” McKay said.
“… But it’s a great move for him. He’s 21, he’s going to learn so much over there.”
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.