Stand-in Perth Glory skipper Travis Dodd has added his voice to the calls for teammate Scott Jamieson to be included in the Qantas Socceroos squad.
Stand-in Perth Glory skipper Travis Dodd has added his voice to the growing clamour for teammate Scott Jamieson to be included in the Qantas Socceroos squad set to be announced on Wednesday.
And Dodd also feels the Glory’s other starting full-back, Josh Risdon, is closing in on senior international honours.
Jamieson last represented his country during the 2009-2010 season, while Risdon was selected for an Australian Under-23 squad last year but did not ultimately see any game time.
Australian coach Holger Osieck is expected to name a host of local players in his squad for next week’s friendly against South Korea and Dodd believes the German should cast his eyes towards the west.
“There’s a bit of stiff competition, but I’m right behind Jamo,” said Dodd.
“And Josh Risdon is certainly one for the future.
“He’s been outstanding for all of last season and the start of this one.
“And for him to be playing as well as he is at the age that he is, that’s fantastic.
“Hopefully he’ll only get better.
“The standard of the A-League is improving all the time and hopefully it will get to the stage where these guys warrant selection along with the European-based guys.”
The 32-year-old then joked that Jamieson himself is talking up his own chances of earning a third full cap.
“We caught up on Sunday to watch the Brisbane (versus) Adelaide game and he’s definitely put his hand up for Holger to pick him.
“He’s backing himself in, that’s for sure.”
Both Jamieson and Dodd will be on familiar territory this weekend as Glory head to Hindmarsh Stadium to take on the ladder-leading Reds.
And Jamieson is relishing the prospect of receiving a rough ride from the home fans who used to cheer them on when they wore a red strip.
“I got boos last time I went there and it was good!” Jamieson said.
“I had a special relationship with the fans when I was there. Playing for them was fantastic and going back there and getting booed, I enjoyed it. It’s just banter.
“They’re a great bunch of people and if they boo me, I give it back to them, so it’s a good blast.
“I have respect for them and I’m sure deep down they have respect for me, but if they boo me I enjoy it.
“Adelaide will always have a place in my heart because I enjoyed two fantastic and successful years there and they did give me my first chance in Australia, so it’s a pretty special place for me.”
Dodd, meanwhile, claimed that the trip to Hindmarsh has no great extra significance for him, having already returned there with Glory last season.
But the in-form midfielder did say he is still unsure whether or not to celebrate should he score against his former employers.
“I’ve got that first trip back out of the way and I’m just looking forward to trying to get a road win.
“We’ve spoken about how important it is to pick up results away from home if we are to be a championship-winning team.
“I spent six years at Adelaide, the bulk of my career, but as any professional knows, you have to move on.
“I’ve seen a couple of the boys at the weekend not celebrate after scoring goals against their former teams, but I’m still undecided what the case would be for me in that situation.”
Dodd and Jamieson are certain starters for Glory on Sunday and hamstring-injury victims Shane Smeltz and Ryo Nagai could also be included in the squad having returned to full training on Monday.
