Taggart wants to be a World Cup pest

Striker Adam Taggart plans on making a pest of himself if he lands one of the few forward spots in the Socceroos World Cup squad.

The Newcastle Jets forward is one of several youngsters vying for a place in the final 23-man squad for Brazil to be named after next week’s friendly against South Africa.

The 20-year-old attacker was one of the star strikers of the recently finished A-League season, winning the Golden Boot for being the competition’s leading scorer.

He is one of five forwards named in coach Ange Postecoglou’s provisional 30-man squad.

Veterans and proven performers Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy appear certain to make the squad, with Matthew Leckie, Ben Halloran and Taggart vying for other spots, though as all three are unlikely to make the cut.

Taggart believes he has a point of difference in his style from the aerially dominant Cahill and Kennedy that could earn him a spot.

“For me, going onto the pitch I just want to be as energetic and buzzing around as much as possible,” Taggart said.

“Try and annoy and pester all the defenders to try and sneak a goal and that’s what I’m all about, I only want to score goals.”

With the likes of John Aloisi, Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka now all retired, Taggart is aware the new breed of strikers now have the perfect opportunity to step up.

“It’s no secret that the whole golden generation seem to be going and it’s up to us young players to push through and make sure we earn that spot in the team,” Taggart said.”

He has already played at under 20 level against Chile, one of Australia’s World Cup group opponents.

“When we played them they played pretty similar to their first team, very intense and aggressive and they keep that tempo the whole game,” Taggart said.

“That’s something we need to be aware of and it was great to have that experience last year against them.”

Taggart attributed his break out year in the A-League to more playing time.

His Newcastle teammate Josh Brilliante, who won the Jets player of the season award, is hoping the fact he can play both in defence and midfield can earn him a World Cup squad place.

“Maybe in a squad like this and being a young player, it’s probably a good thing, so hopefully it works in my favour,” Brilliante said.