Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert will arrive in Brisbane on Saturday morning, just in time to join the Roar camp before their must-win Saturday night home game against traditional rivals Sydney FC.
The arrival of the 33-year Kluivert has finally given Roar coach Ange Postecoglou something to smile about after a turbulent start to his tenure at the Roar.
After Danny Tiatto joined former Brisbane players Reddy, Miller and Moore in parting with the club, and copping more stinging criticism from former Roar coach Frank Farina, Postecoglou was keen to spotlight Kluivert’s arrival as a real positive for his squad.
“There are some good things happening at our club, regardless. That’s all we’re looking at. The bigger picture stuff. Patrick is going to be fantastic.”
“They’re having a tough season this playing group. The ones who are left have stuck together – no questioning their commitment. It’s a bit of a reward for them to be able to rub shoulders with one of the greatest players ever.”
“For our supporters, we’re going to organise the next two weeks so people get maximum exposure to an absolute champion who is very happy to come here and help us out in anyway possible.”
“Hopefully it’s the start of a long-term relationship. I think it’ll give everyone around the club a big boost,” Postecoglou said.
Although the two-week signing of Kluivert will benefit the Roar in terms of publicity and exposure alone, Postecoglou was quick to assure he was coming to the club with the intention of contributing on-field.
“All he talks about is training.”
“In terms of the training, he wants to get his hands dirty. We’re looking forward to that. It’s going to be a good boost for the whole club,” said the Roar coach.
Although Kluivert will sit sideline during the game, gathering an understanding of the squad before beginning his coaching session early next week, Roar winger Michael Zullo was hoping he would provide some inspiration.
“Obviously he’s an enormous player and he has been there and done everything in world football.”
“Hopefully he sees something in us and can inspire us to win the game.”
The Roar, who have only three games left to move from 8th place and into the top six, are under no illusions about what is needed against the highflying Sydney FC.
“For us now, we’re in a situation where every game is a grand final. Every week the game is the most important game of the season. If we don’t get a result the season is almost over,” said Brisbane’s gun striker Sergio van Dijk.
Michael Zullo agreed with van Dijk’s assessment, labelling the clash as a ‘must-win’ for his side.
But the Roar will have their work cut out for them against a second-placed Sydney side that Postecoglou has called, ‘very good’, ‘hard-working’, and ‘disciplined’.
