Perth captain Jacob Burns has backed former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski to work his way back into the Glory side after not being selected for the first two rounds this season.
Packed with new talent after coach Ian Ferguson’s significant overhaul of the Glory’s list, Perth have won both their first two games this season against Adelaide and Melbourne Heart.
With Andrezinho taking Sterjovski’s role in left midfield, along with Shane Smeltz and Billy Mehmet playing as the strikers, another position Sterjovski has played, there has been no room for the 32-year-old in Ferguson’s squad over the first two rounds of the year.
It’s a major fall from grace for the likeable Sterjovski, who just two years ago was part of the Australian side that qualified for the 2010 World Cup.
While injury has often prevented him showing his best for Perth, Burns believes that when given his chance, a fit-again Sterjovski will seriously shine once more.
“He’s disappointed but Mile’s the ultimate pro,” Burns said before training on Wednesday.
“He works ever so hard and he knows that it’s heavy competition.”
“He knows that he’s going to have to be doing well at training and he’s just got to bide his time and wait for his opportunity to come.”
“But he’s very much a big part of this squad and a big part of the manager’s plans, so I’m sure he’ll be called upon sooner rather than later and he just has to be ready when that comes.”
Another player who know knows what it’s like to bide his time is Scotsman Steve McGarry.
The former Motherwell midfielder may have been a regular first-team player early last season, but now finds himself being used off the bench as the Glory start with a new look midfield consisting of Andrezinho, Burns, Liam Miller and Travis Dodd.
“I’ve been on the bench and I managed to go on the last couple of games, but I’m desperate to get in there and start,” said McGarry.
“And I’m sure, there’s a lot of guys that have been left on the bench and guys that are not even making the squad, so it’s very competitive this year and hopefully that will definitely put us in good stead over the year.”
“There will be injuries and suspensions and people fighting for places, so the standard will need to be pretty high.”
McGarry said that entering the fray midway through the game has been somewhat easier this season as the Glory have often been controlling play, as opposed to last year when they may have been behind and chasing a result.
“The games I’ve come on, the boys have been playing really well, the confidence is high,” McGarry said.
“The first game, we made several chances and then myself and Tommy went on and the second game was more of a set in, dig deep, fight hard and chase for every ball, so let’s hope we can continue that.”
