Why Hibs 'leader' fully deserves crack at World Cup spot - and Easter Road gaffer has stats to back up claim
Jack Iredale recalled by Socceroos boss Tony Popovic - so will he make finals in USA, Mexico and Canada?
David Gray believes Jack Iredale’s latest international call-up is reward for a Hibs “leader” who has become increasingly important to the Easter Road outfit. And the gaffer believes his central defender’s raw numbers provide all of the answers to questions about the Australians’ ability to make the step up.
The 29-year-old, who earned his first involvement with the Socceroos at the end of last season, has yet to win a senior cap for his country. But Tony Popovic is expected to give the left-sided centre-half minutes as they take on Venezuela and Colombia in the USA, as the Aussies – already qualified for next summer’s World Cup – prepare for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the States.
Popovic has juggled his squad for friendlies
Gray, asked what sort of case he would make for Iredale’s inclusion in the World Cup squad, should Popovic seek his input, said: “What would I say about Jack? He's a man.
“He's a leader in his own right. I think since Jack Iredale came into the team, I don't know exactly what the number would be, but domestically, league games, he's maybe only lost four games of football, something like that.
“I think that speaks volumes for, not just Jack, because he's part of a unit and a collectiveness. But he certainly is one that would roll his sleeves up and stand up to be counted.
“He's a leader and I think he does the basics well in football. And he works really hard as well, which is a real good asset to have.”
“I’m delighted for him. It's something that he's very passionate about and rightly so. It’s the pinnacle of anyone's career, to get that opportunity and that recognition. So delighted for him.
“It's like anything, when they go away, you just want them to come back safely. But all the same, it’s definitely fully deserved for how hard he works and everything he puts into it. He definitely deserves it.”
Martin Boyle back with a bang
Hibs favourite Martin Boyle is also included in a Socceroos squad well stocked with new faces, the veteran forward trusted to bring his experience, energy and goals to the national side. The 32-year-old, chasing his first World Cup Finals appearance after missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar with a serious injury, returned to the Hibs starting XI against Livingston last week – reclaiming the captain’s armband AND scoring to mark his comeback.
Gray, addressing the stand-in skipper’s reaction to being dropped from the starting XI for the previous couple of game, said: “As I've said to you before, I think the forward options we've got, they all have very different strengths and different things when they're in the team, what they can give you. Boyle does what he does, which is score goals.
“He's missed a few chances of late, but one thing he does is he always affects games of football. You look at just the Livingston game alone, he scores, could assist with Junior Hoilett’s chance. He's another couple of opportunities.
“Last season wasn’t an accident. He’s been at this football club for a long time and his numbers last year, I don’t know the exact figures, but 30-odd goal involvements.
“So I think he’s proven that for a long time. And already this season, you’ve seen that he’s always a constant threat. He always gets chances in games.
“That’s down to him, his appetite to do it. But also the quality he has.”