Socceroos man mountain Harry Souttar admits he has ambitions to play in the Premier League after a memorable World Cup performance that’s sure to have clubs circling.
But the 198cm centre back insists he’s not even thinking about his own future as he and Australia prepare for one of the biggest matches in the nation’s history against Denmark on Thursday morning (AEDT).
Souttar’s club Stoke City last year said they would not sell the towering defender for less than 20 million pounds ($A35m) but a performance in the win over Tunisia rated by peers as one of the greatest ever in a Socceroos shirt means it could be hard for the Championship club to keep him.
Denmark ‘worried’ after France loss | 02:30
Asked about the hype and talk of a potential move to a big club Souttar in Doha on Monday, “my focus has got to be the here and now.
“If you ask every player, they want to play at the highest level they can but my focus is purely on Denmark and I think I’ll let other people handle that for me.
“I don’t need to do that. I just need to concentrate on my performances on the pitch.”
Souttar admits he has watched his remarkable, game-saving cover tackle a few times since Saturday’s memorable win.
“I got sent it a few times from family and friends and it was obviously a nice moment. What’s pleasing about that is the wide camera angle, where you see four or five of the lads getting back – there were five or six of us in the box, ready for defence. That was the pleasing aspect for me.”
SOUTTAR’S SUB ORDER SHOCKS TEAMMATES, GOES VIRAL
The tackle is not the only viral video of Souttar doing the rounds — he’s also getting plenty of feedback about a video posted by the Socceroos in which he is asked to revealed his “go-to” Subway order.
Australian teammates Martin Boyle and Jason Cummings are visibly shocked when Souttar lays it out; — chicken, breast, ham, on italian bread, a bit of onion, cheese and onion crisps sprinked on top, tomato sauce, three cookies …. and a Pepsi Max.
“The amount of stick I’ve got for that…,” Souttar said.
Socceroos dare to dream after win | 03:03
“Look at the size of me, I need it! The stick I’ve gotten from that has been pretty over the top to be honest, but it’s my choice.
“(The team chef) is probably not happy – I’ve not had a conversation with him yet. I don’t think any of the sports science team would be pleased with the three cookies, either.”
Whatever the big man has been doing, it’s working at least.
RISING STAR WARY OF DENMARK, ERIKSEN THREAT
Like most of the footballing world, Socceroos midfielder Keanu Baccus is happy to see Christian Eriksen back on the park after the Denmark star suffered an on-field cardiac arrest last year.
But the 24-year-old, who has come off the bench for Australia in both World Cup matches so far, said the Socceroos need to worry about more than just the Manchester United midfielder.
“He’s a tremendous player. It was sad, that moment, for everyone involved in football to see that but great to see him back, he’s obviously at Man United as well and good to see him back playing for his country because he’s a great player,” Baccus said.
Still alive! Socceroos down Tunisia 1-0 | 02:39
“… They have got quality and obviously Eriksen is a great player but we can’t look at that too much. We have got to worry about ourselves moreso and what we’re going to do and execute our game plan to win that game.”
Australia likely need only a draw to reach the Round of 16 for just the second time, but Socceroos player insist they will take a winning mentality into the match,
