From the Scottish Premiership and Eredivisie, to MLS and England’s League One. KEEPUP has you covered on all the Aussie-related news outside the A-Leagues.
Bend it like Strain
Ryan Strain has quickly become a fan favourite at St Mirren and the Australia international only solidified his standing with a free-kick in the 1-1 draw at home to Hearts.
The former Adelaide United utility put 10-man St Mirren ahead with a deflected set-piece inside four minutes before Australian compatriots Kye Rowles and Cam Devlin helped Hearts snatch a point in the Scottish Premiership.
Fellow Socceroo Keanu Baccus was at the heart of St Mirren’s midfield as the team moved sixth in the standings, while Hearts remain third.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic continue to lead the way in their pursuit of back-to-back titles.
Celtic, who had Aaron Mooy in the line-up, were too good for Kilmarnock 2-0.
The defending champions are nine points clear of bitter rivals Rangers through 21 games.
Bouzanis earns FA Cup date with the Red Devils
One Australian is already set to travel to Old Trafford for an EFL Cup quarter-final against Manchester United this week – Perth-born goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
In the FA Cup, countryman Dean Bouzanis also secured a showdown with the Red Devils.
The former A-Leagues shot-stopper was handed a start by Reading manager Paul Ince and kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Watford in the third round.
Later this month, Bouzanis’ Reading will visit Manchester.
Does the Eredivisie await for Ryan?
Mat Ryan’s future is generating plenty of interest as the Socceroos captain and goalkeeper prepares to leave Danish champions Copenhagen.
Bundesliga’s Borussia Monchengladbach have been linked with the former Valencia and Arsenal shot-stopper.
But the A-Leagues graduate appears to be closing in on a switch to Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar.
According to reports, negotiations are at an advanced stage.
Former Socceroo Brett Holman spent four years at AZ, where he won the Eredivisie in 2008-09.
Waine debuts for Plymouth
Ben Waine had his first taste of European football with League One leaders Plymouth Argyle over the weekend.
Waine swapped Wellington Phoenix in the Isuzu UTE A-League for Plymouth, and the New Zealand international made his debut in the goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers.
The ‘Waine Train’ come off the bench in the 66th minute.
A new home for Aussie left-back
Brad Smith has landed at his third MLS club, joining Houston Dynamo.
The Australia international left-back, who emerged from Liverpool’s youth team in 2013, arrives from DC United.
With 79 regular-season appearances in the United States and an MLS Cup triumph at Seattle Sounders, Smith moves to Houston as a free agent through the 2024 season with club options for 2025 and 2026.
“Brad is an experienced international left back with a history of winning in our league,” said Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad.
“He brings an extra attacking element to our left back position, valuable competition in our backline, and a winning pedigree to our locker room. We are excited to welcome Brad and his family to Houston.”
Aussie sensation at the double for Man City!
Alex Robertson dazzled in Premier League 2 over the weekend.
Socceroos prospect Robertson, whose father and grand father represented Australia, is also eligible to play for Scotland, England and Peru.
On Saturday, the 19-year-old scored twice in Manchester City Under-21’s 6-0 rout of Arsenal.
