Former Socceroos custodian Mark Bosnich insisted he was not looking beyond his seven-match-guest appearance with the Central Coast Mariners.
Former Socceroos custodian Mark Bosnich insisted he was not looking beyond his seven-match-guest appearance with the Central Coast Mariners.
Bosnich, whose decorated career in the English Premier League ended in 2002, signed with the Mariners on Wednesday as cover for Danny Vukovic, who has five matches left to serve on his suspension from the 2007-08 A-League Grand Final.
The 36-year-old will be available for selection for Saturday’s blockbuster with Sydney FC but, with Vukovic available for this weekend’s clash, the former Manchester United and Chelsea custodian may have to wait until the Mariners’ round-three clash against Quuensland Roar to make his A-League debut.
“I’m just taking it step by step, this is the first little tick in the box and I’m very thankful to everybody at Central Coast,” Bosnich said.
“Originally when it (a stint with the Mariners) was first propositioned to me it was always for the period while Danny was suspended.”
“In terms of long term you’re not the only person to ask that this morning, my parents asked that question.”
But while he intends to adopt a cautious approach to his long-awaited comeback, the 36-year-old has clearly not lost the self-belief that saw him occupy the upper echelon of his profession for the best part of a decade.
“I feel very, very fit, I’ve still got a long way to go fitness wise and I think that will come with match practice,” he said.
“I’m looking forward in the next three weeks to getting back to a certain level that is comparable to where I was in the past.”
Pressed further on his plans for the future, Bosnich would not rule out a return to England should an offer arise.
“If I was fortunate enough to get an offer I would sit down with every one concerned who has an interest and who I care about and discuss that but I don’t really think that’s up to me,” he said.
“If someone was generous enough to make an offer then I would consider it and I’d be totally honest and up front with Central Coast – there’s no smoke and mirrors here.”
Meanwhile, Mariners boss Lyall Gorman signalled his intentions to secure the veteran’s services beyond the current arrangement.
“I think it’s fair to say this is not necessarily the end of our journey with Mark,” Gorman said.
“We’ve got Asia (AFC Asian Champions League) next year, Mark’s got some unfinished business back in London he wants to go and address so we’ll certainly be talking to Mark and his management post this.”
“It’s a start of a new journey both for us and for Mark and certainly there’s some options around Asia and future involvement at the Mariners in the years to come.”
