International boss sees Hibs star taking 'big step' as ace strides into unfamiliar territory
The Hibs star’s call up to the international scene has been addressed.
Australia boss Tony Popovic sees Hibs forward Ante Suto taking major career strides this week as he links up with the Socceroos for the first time.
With Easter Road forward Martin Boyle already at Australia’s disposal, Croatian-born Suto has been called up for friendlies against Cameroon and Curacao over the next week, before he returns to Leith for Premiership battling against Kilmarnock. The 25-year-old qualifies for Australia through his dad and his arrival in camp was his first time in his father’s birth nation.
Suto joined Hibs in the winter transfer window from Croatian side Slaven Belupo and has so far scored three goals and providing one assits. Speaking on the forward, Aussie boss Popovic reckons the week to date and what’s left of camp will be a learning curve for Suto, who is embarking on senior international duty for the first time.
Why has Tony Popovic called up Ante Suto for Australia?
Popovic said at his pre-match presser: “He is obviously eligible to play for Australia. Anyone that decides to play for Australia, or for any country, you have to do that wholeheartedly. You have to do that with that desire and passion that you want to be there.
“We know he wants to be a part of it. It’s the first camp for him and the first time he’s on Australian soil. Everything is so new and he is settling in nicely. The boys are obviously making him feel welcome and it’s a good step for him.
“It’s a big step for him from what he has been doing in terms of the camp environment. But you can see he is glowing from ear to ear. You see him when he wakes up in the morning or when you see him after dinner. The young man is glowing with pride and it is a pleasure to have him here.”
Ante Suto on playing for Australia
Speaking last week at HTC prior to flying out to join the Socceroos, Suto said: “Yeah, first of all, I'm proud, I'm honoured to be in the squad. It's amazing, I couldn't believe when I got the call, but, yeah, I'm here for it. I always believed I could get to that level, and now I'm here.
“The family? Yeah, they are so happy. They are also very proud, especially my father, who is from Australia. This press conference for the squad was at three in the morning in Croatia, and my father was up, looking at it. So, yeah, you can see how much it means to him, but also it means to me...I cannot explain it in words.
“I mean, I knew the day before, but I didn't tell him. So, yeah, they were expecting me to tell them, but I didn't. I wanted them to know like that, to watch the announcement, because I think it's more exciting. My grandfather is from Croatia but he moved to Australia in the 1960s, maybe. So, yeah, he was there for 40, 50 years. But the last 10 years of his life he was in Croatia. So, yeah, I mean they are from Croatia, they moved to Australia.”