Melbourne Victory’s number one goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos jokingly reckons he should get ten percent of young back-up Mitch Langerak’s new three year contract.
After all Langerak’s re-signing this week comes at the end of an impressive two matches in goal for the Hyundai A-League’s number one team while Theoklitos served a suspension for stomping.
But the 27-year-old, arguably the Hyundai A-League’s number one keeper, is ready to reclaim his position between goal for the Victory for Saturday night’s trip for Newcastle and can hardly wait.
“I have had a couple of weeks off and with the FIFA break (for international matches last weekend) as well it’s been three weeks to my last game so I am looking forward to getting out there again,” he said.
While Theoklitos was pleased to see his young understudy Langerak perform so well in his absence, he is far from ready to hand over the number one goalkeeping position at Melbourne to the talented 20-year-old Queenslander.
But he admits Langerak’s impressive recent performances will ensure he is on top of his game upon his return for fear of losing his spot.
“It was great to see young Mitch step up and he did play very well,” Theoklitos said.
“And I think that is the strength of our squad this year in that we have got plenty of depth and whoever does step in does a good job for us.”
“It’s great to have young Mitch on my case (for the number one goalkeeping spot) and we know that in every position you have got to do the business to stay in (the team) and if not someone else will come in and do the job.”
But Theoklitos is ready to put his stamp on the team again, starting Saturday night against a team that the Victory had already thrashed 5-0 this season.
However the Victory keeper expects the ladder leaders to face a tougher test this time around on the road against the Jets after comfortably beating them at Telstra Dome back in Round 3.
“It (Newcastle) has been a difficult ground for us,” Theoklitos said.
“The last time we played them we played really well but back at their ground they are really going to be out to prove a point but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
