Doha: ”The edge … there is no honest way to explain it,” once wrote legendary journalist Hunter S Thompson, “because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.”
Thompson was comparing the sensation of riding a motorcycle at full throttle with the mind-bending effects of LSD. But he could have easily been talking about Cammy Devlin — the Socceroos midfielder who has made a career out of living on the edge as a footballer, but can’t help but fall over it occasionally.
It’s not his fault. It’s just who he is.
Coach Graham Arnold wants his players to be like 11 boxing kangaroos at the World Cup in Qatar, but in Devlin he has a pitbull terrier, foaming at the mouth and ready to attack.
It’s what has endeared him so quickly to the fanbase of Scottish club Heart of Midlothian, where he has become a cult hero for his maniacal work-rate and antagonistic approach to ball-winning, which has turned him into a target of scorn and vitriol for rival supporters — and a potential transfer target for clubs in England, according to sources.
In a 26-man Australian squad short of genuine defensive midfielders, the diminutive Devlin is a classic No.6 who can not only get on the nerves of his opponents, but inside their heads, too.
Cammy Devlin is ready to rattle Kylian Mbappé if asked to by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.Credit:Getty
He seems to embody the aggressive, front-foot approach Arnold says can help the Socceroos spring an upset in a tough Group D in Qatar and end Australia’s 12-year wait for another World Cup win.
“If you’ve watched me play, you see the sort of person and player I am. I like to get in people’s faces,” said Devlin, a Sutherland Shire product who made his one and only appearance for the national team in a friendly against New Zealand in September.
“I’m someone that will give 100 per cent every game, and I think Arnie knows how badly I’d love to get a run.”
The chirpy 24-year-old seems perfectly suited to Australia’s daunting first-up challenge against France next Wednesday morning (AEDT) at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, and would be more than happy to get to work on superstars like Kylian Mbappe if Arnold asks him to.
Cameron Devlin has a knack for getting under the skin of opposition players.Credit:Malcolm Mackenzie
“To be fair, I don’t know if he’ll be interested in anything I’ve got to say,” he laughed.
“If I’m lucky enough to get a chance to play I’ll be doing everything in my power to not only put him off, but put every single one of them off.
“They’ve got quality all over the park — even their more non-recognised players are still playing at the biggest clubs in the world. They’ve obviously got superstars everywhere, and we’ll be having a game plan to go at them with what the coaching staff set up for us.
“If I’m lucky enough to be on the field, I’ll just do my part to help us get a result. If that’s getting under someone’s skin, then definitely I’ll do it.”
Devlin has, however, learned the hard way that there is a fine line between belligerence and breaking the laws of the game. An edge, perhaps.
Just over a month ago, he was sent off in a 4-0 defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership for stamping on the ankle of Rabbi Matondo in a reckless, dangerous moment.
Two goals down at that point, Devlin’s red card shattered any hopes Hearts had of a comeback. He looks back on it now as a “massive learning curve”, and has vowed not to let down club nor country in the same way again.
But Devlin is also wary of curbing the very instincts that got him to Hearts, and to Qatar in a green and gold shirt, and especially when they may yet be needed against the defending world champions.
Cammy Devlin made his Socceroos debut in September’s second friendly against New Zealand in Auckland.Credit:Getty
“I don’t want to change the player I am,” he said.
“I think I’ve got to where I am today by having that side to my game, especially with my height — I think if I didn’t have that side of my game, I definitely wouldn’t be near where I am. It’s not something I want to remove from my game.
“But obviously, I’m sure you’ve watched the video, it was probably one of the more silly things I’ve done on the pitch, and something I want to learn from.
“I think you’ve got to make mistakes to become a better player.”
Watch every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Returns for the Round of 16 in February 2023, with all matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand.
To start your 7 day free trial, visit Stan.com.au/football
