Central Coast Mariners’ Jason Cummings and Melbourne City’s Marco Tilio joined KEEPUP’s James Dodd for a blockbuster edition of The Players Pod, brought to you by NEDS. Listen below!
It’s fair to say Central Coast Mariners star and Socceroo Jason Cummings ruffled a few feathers back home in Scotland.
In the lead-up to the Socceroos’ friendlies against Ecuador last month, Cummings said it was a “no brainer” to play for Australia over his native Scotland because they don’t “qualify for the World Cup”.
MORE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE NEWS
TALAY: Wellington boss to depart at season’s end, new coach announced next week
DOWSE: ‘To this day, I’ve still got dad’s hamstring in my right knee’
MACLAREN: Golden Boot winner’s ‘selfish’ admission about 2019 transfer ‘people laughed’ about
He created a stir back home, as many fans took issue with his comments. However, the Mariners forward – who has also been capped by Scotland twice – provided some extra context when asked about it on this week’s episode of The Players Pod, saying it was only “a bit of banter”.
Listen to the full podcast below or via Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!
“I’ve seen a lot of stuff on Twitter about that. A lot of people in Scotland didn’t take it that well. It was just a bit of banter, just a laugh,” Cummings said.
“It’s a wee bit true, but it was just a bit of banter. Obviously, the main reason was I wasn’t getting picked for Scotland at that time as well so it made it easier for me to pick Australia. It was an opportunity that popped up, a chance to play at the World Cup and play international football.
“The statement was just a bit of banter. Scotland have lost their sense of humour since I’ve been gone or something… it was just a joke! And everyone jumped on it saying ‘rubbish, he’s not good enough anyway, we don’t want him!’ I might not go back to Scotland just in case someone jabs me in the mouth or something!”
What does the future hold for Cummings?
Cummings addressed rumours surrounding his future at the Mariners, saying he’s as happy he’s ever been in his career but didn’t rule out a potential exit.
Cummings has been in sensational form in his first full season in Gosford, sitting second on the Golden Boot standings with 16 goals while simultaneously earning Socceroos call-ups for the last three international windows – including a spot in their 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup squad in November.
The 27-year-old’s move to the Mariners in January 2022 resurrected his career, after he was let go by Dundee. Since arriving in the Isuzu UTE A-League, he has scored 27 goals in 44 games in all competitions.
However, his form has reportedly piqued the interest of clubs in Europe, India, Japan and the United States, with Mariners owner Richard Peil telling FTBL.com.au that there’s a “good chance” he will leave in the off-season despite being contracted until 2024.
Meanwhile, reports from Scotland have also stated he is in advanced talks to join Indian Super League champions ATK Mohun Bagan.
On this week’s edition of The Players Pod, Cummings was asked about his future at Industree Group Stadium.
“I’m as happy as I’ve ever been in my life and in my career,” the Scotland-born Australia international said on The Players Pod.
“I love playing in Australia, the boys, the manager, everything, I’m so happy here. If something pops up and the club get a lot of money it might happen but just now I’m happy where I am.
“I’m focused on the last few games, securing the playoffs, and getting the boys as far as we can and winning the Grand Final.
“You never know in football. You never know what it’s going to happen, so you just kind of wait and see.”
Cummings was joined by fellow Socceroo Marco Tilio on this week’s episode, with the Melbourne City star also set to be the subject of transfer rumours in the off-season after taking another step in his overall game at the reigning premiers.
Some of Tilio’s national team counterparts, including Garang Kuol used their performances in the Isuzu UTE A-League to springboard to European moves, something the City attacker thinks is exciting for all younger players who harbour overseas ambitions.
“It’s massive… with all the eyes and all the opportunity young players get here in Australia, I think it’s really important to see these players go overseas and I guess ply their trade over there and have the experience,” Tilio said.
“As a young player, I look up to players who’ve done it and obviously the younger boys that are around my age, do it now. So yeah, I think for every young player in the A-League have ambitious to go overseas and have a great career and stuff like that and to know that there is eyes on the league and it can happen I think that’s a massive bonus.
“It makes you as a young player, want to prove yourself each week not just for your club… the eyes are almost everywhere and you just never know who’s there to watch you. So I think it’s really good.”
Cummings, however, spoke about the dangers young players face when they leave their clubs too soon, believing it sometimes works better if they stay put for a little while longer.
“Feeling wanted is the most important I think. If you’ve got a club there that really want you and a manager that really wants to play you and all that sort of good stuff,” Cummings said.
“I’ve seen with teams before where it’s not the actual manager, the same as the club behind the scenes, like the sporting directors or whatever, and then when it comes to the weekend, they’re not picking the team and then so you’re stuck there.
“There’s other factors like moving away from home, it’s tough for some people. Money is obviously a factor as well
“As a young lad as well as some some young lads leave too early. I feel like they need to get experience under their belts where they are. I feel like they get too comfortable where they are sometimes and they think the grass is greener, and they go somewhere, and they’re sitting on the bench and it’s not worked out or whatever.
“Sometimes staying where you are, is sometimes good. If you’re a young lad, to get that experience on your belt. It’s just the manager, as well if he plays the formation that you like stuff like that.”
Tilio on relationship with former coach Kisnorbo: “You can’t get away with anything”
Tilio has had some rise to stardom since joining Melbourne City from Sydney FC.
Over the space of three seasons, Tilio has emerged as one of Australia’s brightest talents, earning a call-up to the Socceroos squad on multiple occasions off the back of tremendous form at club land.
Tilio’s former coach Patrick Kisnorbo played a major role in his development, bringing him across from Sydney in 2020 and overseeing his progress as a footballer.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing, as Kisnorbo was questioned for not starting Tilio more regularly particularly in the lead-in to the FIFA World Cup when he was gunning for selection.
However, Tilio only had good things to say about Kisnorbo – who has since moved on to Ligue 1 side Troyes and been linked with a move for his former player – saying he always wanted “the best” out of his players, despite him being “smashed” by his former coach on a regular basis.

“You can’t get away with anything. The first time I met him, the way he shook my hand, it almost broke,” he said.
“The first time I met him, scared as it is and moving across to Melbourne, I was already nervous and he was a person that wanted the best out of everyone.
“He wanted the best from me, he might have been tough… but he took me under his wing, gave me an opportunity to play and I’d like to say I hope I repaid him with the trust he put in me when he was here.
“He’s a massive part of who I am today and how I play. I still talk to him every few weeks, we talk on Facetime and he still smashes me and stuff like that. It’s good. I couldn’t thank him enough for his support. He’s smashed me almost too much but its been a good thing and a good ride.”