Glory coach heaps praise on Sernas

Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe is expecting more brilliance from Darvydas Sernas after the Lithuanian international’s scintillating A-League debut on Friday night.

Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe is expecting more brilliance from Darvydas Sernas after the Lithuanian international’s scintillating A-League debut on Friday night.

Sernas brought Perth’s nib Stadium to life with a sensational goal in the second half only minutes after coming off the bench to provide some attacking spark for Glory.

The 29-year-old scorched the ball past hapless Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe from outside the penalty box in the 50th minute to secure a draw for his new club.

Sernas continued to impress with his attacking runs to suggest he will be a vital cog in Glory’s bid to play finals later this season.

‘It was a great goal and I thought he showed his quality,’ Lowe said.

‘He’s composed, he’s strong, he’s quite intelligent, he’s getting fouled and he looks a good player.

‘Once he gets bedded in, I think we’ll see even more.’

Sernas, who was only cleared to make his A-League debut on Friday morning, had possibly the most bizarre start to an A-League career ever when he was denied entry to the pitch because he was wearing illegal socks.

Confusion reigned supreme as Sernas was ordered to change his socks prior to his half-time substitution for Adrian Zahra, leaving Glory to start the second half with 10 men.

‘He had a pair of socks on that were elasticated on the bottom and didn’t have a full foot in them and the linesman was asking for a sock with a full footing,’ Lowe said.

‘It was pedantic to say the least, but he changed them and he went on.’

Lowe hinted Sernas would start in Glory’s next game against the resurgent Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park on Sunday week.

However, marquee defender William Gallas is a doubtful starter after sustaining another calf problem late in Friday’s match.

Gallas hobbled from the pitch and will be assessed by the club’s medical staff over the next few days. The former French international was sidelined for seven matches with a calf injury earlier this season.

Brazilian winger Sidnei (illness) should return for the Heart clash while new signing Rostyn Griffiths (knee) is also a chance to make his Glory debut.

Lowe was disappointed with his side’s effort in the first half and deemed the 1-1 result as a missed chance.

Seventh-placed Glory would have leapfrogged Victory into fourth place with a winning scoreline on Friday.

‘I think you always think a draw at home is a lost opportunity, but at half-time you would have taken it as a positive so it depends how you want to look at it,’ Lowe said.

‘I’m disappointed we didn’t have the courage to come and play football, I’m disappointed we didn’t want to get on the ball and I’m disappointed that we didn’t show some endeavour.

‘How can you do that in the first half and play another way in the second half?’