Exclusive:How Hibs can reap benefits of World Cup demands on cult hero
Forward has five games to lock down place in Australia squad heading to USA, Mexico and Canada
Easter Road cult hero Ante Suto has revealed the immediate target he’s been set by Socceroos boss Tony Popovic. And the potential World Cup bolter has vowed to give Hibs his absolute all as he looks to round off the season on a high for club and country.
Croatian-born Suto earned his first Australia call-up off the back of the impact made since signing for Hibs on Deadline Day at the end of the January window. Although he was an unused subs as the Aussies beat Cameroon in Sydney and Curacao in Melbourne last month, the 25-year-old insist he gained plenty from the experience of joining Easter Road team-mate Martin Boyle in the national team set-up.
Impressive strike rate from forward
Suto, who qualifies for Australia through dad Anthony, who was born and raised in Melbourne before moving to Croatia in his 20s, was able to catch up with rarely-seen members of the extended family during his trip Down Under. And he clearly believes that he’s in with a chance of making the 26-man cut as Popovic pulls together a group to take on Turkey, Paraguay and host nation USA at this summer’s finals.
Popovic in ‘goals and game time’ demand
Revealing the extent of his conversations with Popovic during that first taste of senior international football, the versatile attacker – who already has four goals and one assist in just two starts and seven substitute appearances for Hibs – said: “The manager said to me to continue to work hard. And he told me to play just like I play for Hibs, to do what I’ve been doing for my club.
“Of course, he wants me to score goals and to play more minutes. I'm going to do all my best to score some more goals for Hibs, definitely.
“We have five games left, including quite a big game coming up next. So I'm going to train hard as always, work hard, try to play well and score goals - and then we'll see what happens.”
Reflecting on an experience that included a lot of travel, a fair bit of jet lag and being thrown into the deep end of a new training set-up with unfamiliar players and coaches, Suto said: “It was the first time in that country and I was proud to be there. What a way to be the first time in a country, to represent your national team. It was a great experience.
“You know, I didn't play but still it's my first time with the squad and I'm proud to be there. I'm just going to be ready for the next opportunity.
“What did I learn? I think the national team is the highest point in football so I'm glad they felt I deserved to be with the best.
“Just to train with the best players, to be with the squad, it's just an amazing feeling. I felt like it was a good experience for me as a player.”
Watford star knock almost gave Suto a debut
There was a moment, in the 5-1 over Curacao, when it looked as if Suto was going to be pressed into emergency action. As Watford star Nestory Irankunda went down injured, the cameras cut to the Hibs forward – looking more than eager – sitting expectantly on the bench.
“I was ready to come in, definitely,” said Suto, with a smile. “But Irankunda was alright. As I said, I didn't play but I respected the decision of the coach.
“It's my first time there so maybe it was just for me to learn how they train, how they play. As I said, I'm going to be ready for the next opportunity.”
The moment Suto was mentioned in connection with the Socceroos, his family WhatsApp with a small army of Aussie cousins exploded. For someone who had never set foot in the country before stepping off the plane at Sydney just a few weeks ago, he was guaranteed a warm embrace
“In Sydney and Melbourne, there were family at both games,” he revealed, adding: “Seeing my family is another special moment for me.
“Some of them I didn't see for years and some of them, the kids, I didn't see at all. It was a special feeling.
“I was on a video call with my dad when I was in Melbourne. We were at a hotel.
“I walked outside the hotel and showed him the streets. He said to me: ‘Oh, I was walking there a million times. My university is five minutes away.’
“I was able to create a lot of memories for him. It was a special feeling for me to be in his city.
“He was so proud and so excited. It was a special moment for the whole family.”