Despite the loss of two key players, Brisbane coach Mike is backing the A-League champions’ team culture to ensure standards are maintained.
Socceroo Ivan Franjic joined star striker Besart Berisha in leaving the Roar this off-season when it was confirmed on Monday he’d signed a deal to join Russian team Torpedo Moscow.
The versatile Franjic, a former carpenter who has won three A-League crowns with the Roar and played in this year’s World Cup for Australia, has already headed to Russia to complete his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Mulvey says there was no way the club could deny Franjic his dream move to Europe, as his fairytale journey from job sites to the world’s best football venues continues.
“Ivan’s a winner … it’s such a great story and I’m proud to have been part of it in some small way,” he said.
“His qualities have been recognised at international level and he’s given great service to this club … it’s something that should be shouted from the rooftops.”
Regardless, Franjic’s departure is arguably more disruptive to the Roar than that of Berisha.
The 26-year-old’s versatility and increasing influence in the Roar’s set-up made him a key component in the club’s success last year.
Mulvey says he’s looking at several options to add to his squad over coming weeks, including a trio of Brisbane-based players who have been invited to trial with the club.
Whoever does come in will be joining a team that Mulvey is still confident has the quality and belief to continue the Roar’s recent status as the A-League’s top club.
“What I promised the fans of Brisbane Roar last year was that we would be extremely competitive in every game that we play and I make that pledge again,” he said.
Franjic himself took to social media to issue a thank you to the club’s fans and back up Mulvey’s belief in those who are still a part of the club.
“I know that Brisbane Roar will continue to prosper due to the strong fan base, high calibre of players and first-rate coaching staff,” Franjic said on Instagram.
“I am grateful and proud to have been given the opportunity to representative (sic) Brisbane Roar.”
j binnie
Guest
A fairytale story indeed. Good luck to the lad. But whereto for Roar?????. Last season saw a runaway championship win with challengers left in their wake and one cannot help but compare their effort to the much discussed Man U.saga With one of the league's top goalscorers (Berisha) gone,this could reflect the loss of form/injury plagued season of Van Persie. A look at the Roar's defensive line also reflects the goings on at Man U where the departure of Ferdinand,Vidic, (both given frees) Evra and Beuttner compares with the loss of Franjic,and North and Steffanuto now nearing the veteren stage. The "fly in the ointment" for Roar appears to be that despite trips overseas very little of note appears to have been done to "improve' last season's squad and with an Asian competition in front of them this season one would have thought it needed a bit more than "club culture"to improve last season's efforts on the larger stage. The opposition don't appear to be standing still in their effort to improve theirsquads and that alone makes it just a litle bit worrisome. jb