Star Perth Glory recruit Adam Taggart says the number 22 adorned on his back is a lucky one – and after scoring two goals on his season debut to bring his side to within two points of third place on the Isuzu UTE A-League table, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
REPORT: Ikonomidis, Clisby see red in ‘out of character’ clash at Macedonia Park
The Socceroos striker signed in December for his hometown club, committing to a third stint at the West Australian outfit. A quad injury kept Taggart sidelined through the opening weeks of his Glory return, and despite being listed as “unavailable” by the club for Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne Victory at Macedonia Park, made his way onto head coach Ruben Zadkovich’s bench for the visit of Tony Popovic’s side.
After rescinding a one-goal lead and allowing Victory to return to level-pegging in the second half, Glory’s unbeaten streak at their makeshift home venue was under threat – until Zadkovich called on Taggart off his bench with less than 20 minutes left to play.
By full-time, the 29-year-old had two goals on the board, with his brace sealing a resounding 3-1 win, Glory’s third three-point display in four games and sixth game unbeaten at Macedonia Park for the season.
“I feel unbelievable… to come off the bench and grab a couple of goals and help to get that win means an awful lot,” Taggart told Paramount+ post-match.
This club means a lot, it’s unbelievable. I’ve been thinking of this moment since I signed.
Joining Taggart in Glory’s list of “unavailable” players at the time of Thursday afternoon’s squad reveal was Tunisian winger-turned-wingback Salim Khelifi, who like Taggart was a surprise selection in the Glory squad.
Khelifi played from the start of Saturday night’s fixture, and was simply superb through a 65-minute starting display prior to an apparent foot injury which led to his withdrawal.
Taggart signed for the club less than a month ago, but says Khelifi has made a significant impression on him since he arrived prior to the new year.
Khelifi enhanced his status as one of the signings of the season on Saturday night, bombing forward from right-wingback, playing a pivotal role in the Glory opener and going close on multiple occasions to scoring classy goals of his own.
“Salim is unbelievable,” Taggart said of the at-times unplayable Khelifi. “Every week, every day in training, he’s one of my favourite players here. I’m happy that he’s here, and I’m looking forward to working with him more.”
Zadkovich will eagerly await an update from the club’s medical staff on an apparent foot injury suffered by Khelifi in the 3-1 win.
After four-straight games at home, Glory now turn their attention to a road trip to Wellington Phoenix in the Distance Derby.
Then, it’s back to Macedonia Park for consecutive games against Melbourne City (first on the table) and Central Coast Mariners (second) on February 4 and 11 respectively.
“Winning is a habit, it’s the same as losing,” Taggart said. “So getting those wins on the board means a lot. I think that’s instilled in our minds now: Macedonia Park is really becoming a nice hunting ground for us, and we look froward to continuing that.”
