Bolter Souttar pinching himself as Socceroos call looms

After just two Olyroos appearances, fast-tracked defender Harry Souttar admits an impending Socceroos call-up for next month’s friendly with Korea Republic has tossed him a welcome curve ball.

Souttar

Harry Souttar in action for Fleetwood Town Source: Getty Images

With Graham Arnold this week signalling his intention to rest a bevy of regular faces and blood several young prospects for the game in Busan on June 7, the coach highlighted the giant defender as one to watch.

Standing just shy of two metres tall, Souttar, 20, is hard to miss at the best of times, and aims to be highly visible in the green and gold for years to come.

A standout loan spell at Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town in League One in the second half of the season has ignited the career of the fledgling Stoke City stopper, whose brother John opted to play for their birth country Scotland, whilst Harry embraced the land of his mother.

“If I’m selected it will be something that’s pretty unexpected and has come faster than I’d ever hoped,” Souttar told The World Game.

“I’ve only played a couple of games for the Under-23s over in Cambodia (in March) and was thinking more about future camps with them, and hopefully qualifying for the Olympic Games in Japan, than thinking about the senior team.

“Obviously the Socceroos are part of my future plans, and if I’m ever picked it will be massive for me.

“It’s good that he (Arnold) manages the Under-23s as well as the senior team because he can see first-hand what youngsters are coming through.

“I’d never met him before (the Cambodia camp) and that was the first time I could show him what I could do. Hopefully I did that to the best of my ability.”

The ex-Dundee United rookie, whose mum Heather hails from Western Australia, has faced a few barbs on social media from Tartan zealots questioning his decision to favour Australia.

Sibling John, a defender for Hearts who has already made his debut for Scotland at senior level, was also on Australia’s radar. But he wasn’t swayed.

“When we were younger - like with any siblings - there’s always that bit of rivalry,” Harry added. “Especially with both of us playing football.

“I haven’t seen him lately but we talk and text a lot, and he’s very supportive of my choice (in opting for Australia after Stoke’s Socceroos goalkeeper Adam Federici alerted the FFA to his availability).

“My mum is really proud of me too. There’s been no negativity within the family although there’s been a bit of bad press around social media over my decision.

“But I know why I made that decision and hope it will only stand me in good stead in the future, and will hopefully also be for Australia’s benefit.

“You get the good with the bad in football and it doesn’t affect me; what people say on Twitter and stuff.”

Though the Socceroos are a beguiling drawcard, Souttar is dreaming of emerging from January’s AFC qualifiers in Thailand with a ticket to Tokyo 2020.

“The Olympics is enormous and seeing the sort of talent in our squad I think if we can play to our best we’ll get there,” he added.

“I didn’t know too many of the boys (before March) but there’s real ability there. And, of course, the Socceroos is a step up again.”

With his towering presence, it’s easy to typecast Souttar as simply a destroyer.

While he’s yet to debut for Stoke, he gained a reputation at Fleetwood as adept on the ground as in the air.

“You need to be comfortable on the ball at whatever level you play professional football,” he said.

“The way we played at Fleetwood was all about playing out from the back, and that’s the way the manager in Australia also wants to play.

“Wherever I’ve played that’s always been the style they’ve gone with, and it suits me.”

Souttar, who signed for the Potters in 2016, has returned to the bet365 Stadium after his 12-game stint with Fleetwood.

He has three years left on his contract but wants to be playing each week, especially now with an international future unfurling in front of him.

“I just want to be out there on the pitch, whether that’s another loan next season I don’t know,” he added.

“I don’t want to be sitting on the bench having got a taste of first team football now. Fleetwood gave me that platform and also the chance to get international recognition, so we’ll wait and see what the (northern) summer holds.”


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5 min read
Published 8 May 2019 5:05pm
By Dave Lewis

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