The next step: Aussies in Scotland showing promise

The 126th edition of the Scottish Premiership may not seem immediately as a standout – for many in the far north expect powerhouses Celtic or Rangers to take the title once again – but for us Aussies, the 2022-23 season is one of which oozes talent from Down Under, and a season where few games in the Premiership will go by without Australian presence.

Twelve players and managers in the league is significant for Australian football, and for this to be the case in a decent competition like the Scottish Premiership is somewhat promising.

But it is the Scottish Premiership. Many will criticise it as a poor league, a league dominated by Celtic and Rangers, no one else coming close.

A ‘premiership’ that cannot produce enough talent for its national team to successfully enter a World Cup. A competition where pay is no better at times at home, and attendance which is inequitable: Celtic had a higher average attendance than two-thirds of the competition combined.

And all this is by no means wrong. But, while it may not be the most exciting league, it definitely offers certain aspects the A League Men cannot.

And, for a lot of players, it is less risky and more comforting for them to enter this league.

And look again and you can find clubs strong with passion and history, and a league arguably on the rise – ranked higher in UEFA coefficient than the Belgian, Serbian and Russian leagues. Impressive. (Thanks, Rangers).

I like to see moves to Scotland as a step that provides a better level of playing for players, more passion and more relevance in the world of football, while still being in a more comforting environment than the tough, weary games in the Championship, or the struggles as a foreigner in eastern Europe.

So, why is Scotland promising for Aussies?

Firstly, Scotland is a place where Aussies will settle in better than other countries. Quite obviously we have the fact that there is no language barrier. That’s a start.

Scotland, or Britain as a whole, is in some ways similar to Australia in terms of lifestyle (ignoring the constant cold in Britain) which can help a player settle in easier.

Players such as Ryan Strain (in Israel), Aaron Mooy (in China) and Mitch Duke (Saudi Arabia) are all decent players, but struggled in significantly different environments at home.

(Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)

Yes, that is bound for every player that makes a new transfer – in that they must win their place in the XI – but it would have been more difficult for those players as they may have struggled to settle in.

Another reason Scotland is a better option for a lot of overseas players is because it is not a cut-throat competition.

While this could be pointed at the lack of competitiveness in the league, the environment of the club is down to the owners and the club culture. As far as I’m concerned, the Scottish Premiership does not emanate a ruthless environment compared to countries in eastern Europe.

While playing in the western parts of Europe is never easy, there are plenty of examples involving Aussies showing eastern Europe is more relentless. Mustafa Amini found difficulty even signing a contract in Turkey, and did not play in 2021 in Cyprus.

Similarly, Tomi Juric struggled at CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria as well.

In comparison, looking at how Tom Rogic was out of favour under Neil Lennon but the club didn’t force him out of the squad – in the end he would have a decent season under Ange and arguably revive his career.

Again, no league is easy to play in, but there are places worse than others.

Another reason Scotland is promising is arguably most importantly the transfer landscape. In particular, outgoing transfers.

I don’t mean to say the A-League Men has no talent, but the outgoing talent out of the Scottish Premiership not only involves higher transfers, higher market values and big clubs, but also the presence of a player going from low to high profile.

Virgil van Dijk was playing at FC Groningen before developing through Celtic and is now one of the best defenders in the world, and Calvin Bassey was unknown through Leicester’s youth ranks, but has now earned Rangers about £20 million on his way to Ajax.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Sounds great. However, many will point and say this is just Celtic and Rangers. Only Mooy is playing for a ‘big club’.

But still, this shows how relevant the league is. How big clubs still look to the Scottish Premiership and are willing to splash cash.

And if you want examples of success stories, look at Lyndon Dykes, who performed brilliantly at lowly Livingston, now a high-profile Scottish national player. And the interesting move to Bologna from Hearts by Aaron Hickey, now lands him at Brentford worth £18 million.

And while the Scottish Premiership has geographical advantages compared to Australian leagues (being in Europe), there are also systematic advantages (a general trend of longer contracts).

And yet there’s a strong argument that the Premiership has the same amount of teams, similar salaries, smaller stadiums and even less competition.

Which can be totally agreed with.

But what matters right now is our Aussies doing well in Europe.

And if that means ‘the next step’ – a higher level that isn’t the largest risk in the world – then we should be all for it. Careers can be made. Tom Rogic is now a Celtic legend and Cameron Devlin is a fan favourite at Hearts in under a year.

Let’s hope the new wave of Australians in Scotland provides them with European interest, success and victories.

And if the Aussie presence wasn’t noticed, Ange Postecoglou mastering victory after victory and Martin Boyle scoring a 95th-minute goal in the Edinburgh derby should.