Is it any wonder Melbourne Victory midfielder Billy Celeski can hardly wipe the smile off his face right now.
After all he is a regular member of the leading team in the Hyundai A-League this season and has just scored his first goal for his new club – in a thrilling 3-2 win over arch-rivals and Asian Champions League finalists Adelaide no less.
And who knows, after an impressive Olympic campaign in China with the Olyroos, a dream move to Europe could even be just around the corner for the Macedonian born 23-year-old.
It’s all a far cry from two years ago when Celeski wondered if even a career in the Hyundai A-League had passed him by after sitting out the entire second season due to a hip injury.
Celeski spent the first year of the Hyundai A-League in 2005-06 with Perth Glory where he made 18 appearances but was released by then coach Steve McMahon after returning to Melbourne for surgery on his injured hip.
It was then that Celeski admitted fearing for his future in a game he had grown up with thanks to his passionate father Zoran, who had played regularly in his homeland.
“It was tough and it got frustrating at the time but I am just happy to be back,” he said.
“It was always going to tough being out for a year and watching the second year of the A-League on TV while I was doing my rehab and then I had to come back through the (Victorian) Premier League (with Bulleen) and there were Olyroos games also on at the time so I missed out on that as well.”
“But when you are out for a little while you appreciate it a lot more (when you return) and you don-t take things for granted as much.
Luckily for Celeski his career got the second chance that many youngsters often miss out on when his former mentor at the Australian Institute of Sport in Ron Smith took over at Perth Glory and offered him another season in the west in 2007-08.
This time Celeski was even more of a hit with Glory fans and was a permanent fixture in the side that year with the highlight being his hat trick against Sydney FC in a 4-2 win at the Sydney Football Stadium.
But when his former boss at the Victorian Institute of Sport in now Victory coach Ernie Merrick offered him a dream move back to his native Victoria this season it was too good an opportunity to pass up for Celeski.
“It’s obviously been the right move for myself,” he said.
“I played in the ACL and now we are sitting on top of the ladder at the moment so I am really happy.”
“And my family and friends can now come and watch me play and I am really settled and the boys here have been great since I started so I couldn’t be happier.”
Now Celeski, who has impressed this season with his versatility given he can play either on the right or as a holding midfielder or as a central attacking midfielder, has his sights set on a possible move to Europe but says if nothing eventuates he will gladly continue his career in the Hyundai A-League with Melbourne.
“I am out of contract this year with Melbourne so I will sit down when the time is right and talk to the club (about his future),” he said.
“I have overseas aspirations and Socceroos aspirations but if nothing eventuates I would like to think we could come to some of agreement (to stay with Melbourne) because the club has great to me so far and I am really happy here.”
