By Anna Harrington
Harry Souttar’s got his dancing shoes back on and he’s ready to take centre stage in the Socceroos’ new-look defence.
The Australia mainstay is finally back strutting his stuff at club level after sealing a loan move to Sheffield United from Leicester City – who froze him out last year – over the off-season.
Souttar, 25, has quickly slotted into Chris Wilder’s English Championship team and he’s adamant it has him sharper, confident and more ready than ever for the daunting challenge of playing Japan in Saitama on Tuesday night.
“It’s obviously a great feeling, a lot different to last year,” Souttar said.
“I don’t really want to look back on it. Obviously, it was a disappointing time.
“But I’m so thankful for the gaffer, Chris Wilder, to have faith in me – to bring me in, first and foremost, and then to play me. Hopefully, I’ve repaid his faith a little bit.
Harry Souttar of the Socceroos competes with Behram Abduweli of China during last week’s match’Credit: Getty Images
“Although we’ve played nine games, there’s still 37 to go, so there’s still a long, long way. But we’ve started positive and hopefully long may that continue.”
Sheffield is proving a fun place to be.
Wilder is famous for his love of overlapping central defenders, while Souttar caught plenty of eyes with a cheeky nutmeg and driving run up the field against Derby County last month.
“It was good – I felt a bit like Willy Wonka there when I was on the left wing,” he quipped.
“So it was a bit different. There were a few good highlights.”
Souttar performed admirably for Australia even when he was frozen out at Leicester.
But now his confidence is sky-high – and new coach Tony Popovic is set to benefit from a happy and sharp Souttar in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
“I kept myself in really good shape last year knowing that I wasn’t playing and I had to be fit for Australia,” Souttar said.
“This year, getting more match minutes, I just feel more mentally sharp than anything.”
Fresh start … Harry Souttar playing for Sheffield United.Credit: Getty Images
Popovic played one key card early in his tenure, switching from a back four to a back three with wing-backs.
Souttar occupied the most central role, with Kye Rowles on his left,and Thomas Deng, then Jason Geria, to his right.
“When you’re the middle, you get more of the ball,” Souttar said.
“You’re not necessarily as high as the other two on the side of the three but you probably get more of the ball and you can progress it more and there’s probably more responsibility which I really like.”
Souttar will need to be at his enforcing best on Tuesday night, when Australia face the group C leaders in their Saitama backyard.
The Socceroos have never beaten Japan on their home deck.
A draw would be superb while a win would rank among the Socceroos’ greatest ever victories and edge them closer to a top-two berth and direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
“If we want to get to where we want to get to, these are the type of games you want to go and get a result in and you want to play in,” Souttar said.
Buoyed by the Socceroos’ 3-1 win over China in Adelaide, Souttar added: “Off the back of that game, everyone’s feeling positive and raring to go.
“Obviously, we know it’s going to be a really tough game, they’re really strong at home and they’re a really good side
“But we’ve got to remember that we’re also a really good side and I think we’ve shown over the last few years what we are and what we can do.”
