Gold Coast United goalkeeper Glen Moss has put his new club before country, declaring his performance in Friday’s clash with Wellington is more about getting the three points than impressing All Whites and Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert.
Shining brightly in his debut for United last weekend, Moss’ heroics against Brisbane would have caught the eye of Herbert as he scouted the Phoenix’s opening round opposition.
But second choice to New Zealand shot-stopper Mark Paston throughout the Kiwi’s recent World Cup campaign in South Africa, Moss said establishing himself as Gold Coast’s No.1 was top priority.
“I’ve worked with Ricki since I was 17 so he knows what I’m all about. It’s not about showing off for one game and trying to get my name in the paper,” the 27-year-old said after training on Wednesday.
“It’s more about getting the first win on the board for Gold Coast United and really kicking off our season,”
“I really enjoyed my debut it was a proud moment, I grew up here on the Gold Coast and to play for the city’s professional side it’s something I didn’t expect when I left 10 years ago,”
“Unfortunately we didn’t play to our best, but hopefully that was just first game rustiness,”
Not ruling out the possibility of an international re-call in the near future, Moss was optimistic that a strong season between the posts for United could force the question on Herbert as New Zealand continues to revel in its World Cup achievements.
“My goal heading forward is to get a good season under my belt and help Gold Coast have a successful year,”
“It would be good to get back in the fold, I love playing for my country and it’s been a long suspension over the last 12 months,”
“I’m looking forward to any game that New Zealand Football can organise, we really have to build the momentum because football in New Zealand is buzzing at the moment and we really have to keep it going,”
Returning home this weekend after spending the 07/08 and 08/09 seasons at Wellington, Moss anticipated gusty Westpac Stadium conditions, not the expected bumper crowd, to play a large part in the outcome of the match.
“It swirls (around the stadium) a little bit sometimes, I got used to it the other year when I was over there…hopefully it’s a good night for the crowd and players, but if it’s not then we have to play for the conditions,”
“If it’s a windy evening over there there’s no point trying to play with the ball in the air, we’re going to have to keep a good hold of the ball.” he said.
