Should the K League-based 25-year-old get the nod for Graham Arnold’s next squad he won’t have to travel far, with Australia to face Korea Republic in a friendly in Busan on June 7.
Four goals in 10 appearances for Suwon Samsung Bluewings since signing from Brisbane Roar in February has put Taggart back on the radar.
The fact that Arnold will rest a gallery of established stars for the duel against the Taeguk Warriors also heightens the possibility of an eighth cap for Taggart, whose international progress has been blunted by injuries since his Socceroos debut back in 2013.
After his last cap against Spain at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it’s been a long wait for Taggart, who has notched three goals for his country.
“I came up here for the right reasons, and if I get the opportunity with the national team again it will be fantastic,” he said.
“I’d be over the moon to be back involved again ... it’s been a long time.
“Being there before, it’s meant the world to me. I know how tough it is to get selected but if there is an opportunity I’d be extremely grateful to be back in that environment again.
“It’s fairly normal in football for players not to get a call up for their country until their mid-20s. I’m 25 now and my last cap was five years ago.
“I’d be lying if I said it’s not something you sit home and dream about, no matter how old you are.
“If I’m 35 and still waiting for another chance, I’m sure I’d still have the odd dream about being back involved because, growing up, all you want to do is play for the national team.”
Taggart is relishing what is a significant step up in intensity and tempo from the A-League, where he has featured for Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory and Brisbane.
“I’ve enjoyed myself so far, with the pace and intensity of the league I feel I’m learning,” said Taggart, whose first foray overseas at Fulham was blighted by injury setbacks.
“It’s such a tough league ... the move was a bit of a surprise but I was keen to challenge myself at a big club like Suwon and move away from the A-League.
“The A-League is a good league for young players coming through but every player who’s determined to see how far they can go has to leave Australia.
“This is a different pathway again but it feels like a step in the right direction.
“Timing is everything in football and maybe it wasn’t on my side in terms of previous moves and injuries.
“But when this came up with me fully fit, and Brisbane willing to let me go, the timing was spot on.
“I’m feeling fitter than ever - in the A-League I was a bit worried about injuries and things like that and may have held back a tiny but.
“Since I’ve come here, I’ve been able to play with more freedom.
“You’re pushed to your limits every single day in training and every single game.
“You go 100 per cent every single day, and that’s helping me start to play the same way I used to.”
Taggart sees major disparities between where he’s come from and where he’s landed.
“People say the A-League is physical but I don’t think it is any more,” he added.
“Since coming to Suwon, the first day in training I saw how physical it is and the fitness levels of the players is ridiculous. They can just run all day like animals.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to run at the same levels they do. But you definitely improve yourself.
“And technically, wow, the touch and technique here is top quality.
“I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the players, the team, the club and the culture here. I’d love to stay here for a long time.”
Four-time K League 1 winners Suwon are sitting ninth on the 12-team ladder after an indifferent start to the season.
But Taggart, who has a one year contract with triggers for three years on both sides, is confident a rebound is imminent.
“It’s been a difficult start but the fans, the support and infrastructure is there and I have no doubt it won’t be long before we start creeping up the table,” he predicted.
“We’ve had a fair few draws and have only lost one of our last eight.
“You turn a couple of those draws into wins and you’re pushing for the top four.”
