How do you feel about Australia now playing in the Asian Football Confederation?
I am a big fan of it and reckon it is a welcome change. It is an exciting time to be involved. But I have to say before joining it I am so glad we managed to qualify for the World Cup the hard way through a two-legged play-off.

How do you see the Socceroos’ chance in the Asian Cup next year?
Japan and South Korea will be our main rivals, but I reckon we have a good chance of doing very well against them and the other teams. If we play as well as we did at the World Cup we can hopefully win it.

Graham Arnold is now in charge. What will he bring to the team?
Arnie got on very well with Guus Hiddink, they were a good team. So I am pretty sure our style of play and training methods will remain the same. That is important because we had success with them. I know Arnie will do a fantastic job because he knows the boys inside out. The national team is in very good hands with him.

There was talk of some of the senior players retiring after the World Cup. How do you see your own future now with the Socceroos?
I did consider retiring from international football after the World Cup, and it is still something on my mind. I believe the next two years are very important for Australian football and we’ve got to make sure we continue moving in the right direction. I suppose there will be an initial dip, that is inevitable, because it will be difficult to repeat the highs of the World Cup so soon, but I don’t expect it to last long. It is important that the young players like Michael Beauchamp get a chance with the national side. At the moment I don’t want to make any rash decisions because I am fit and well and enjoying my football. As long as it isn’t a distraction to my club football then I will continue to play for Australia. I have thought about the highs of the World Cup and whether I can repeat that, so I want to pick the right time to bow out. To do that after winning a major tournament like the Asian Cup next year appeals to me. I do realise it is important to develop a group of players to go forward to the next World Cup. It isn’t about me or the other players, it is about what is best for the team and their future success. I think I would have to rule myself out of playing at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Realistically that isn’t going to happen.

Would you recommend that young players go to play in Europe as soon as possible?
It is a difficult one because the Hyundai A-League has been a huge success. However, I’m sure clubs realise their best players will go to the European clubs. That isn’t a bad thing because if players do well for clubs in Europe it will benefit the national team. I went to Rangers when I was only 17 but the times were different then as we didn’t have the Hyundai A-League at home. You have to be careful and choose the right moment because you don’t want to come to Europe and never get a game. Maybe it is more important to stay in Australia playing every week and develop your game. Then if they are head and shoulders above everyone else it will be time to move on.

How are you enjoying playing for Newcastle this season?
I have been loving playing regularly and the challenge of the Premiership. I am fit and well and having a good time. I have started every game so far this season, which is wonderful after my injury problems last season. Newcastle are a big club with big ambitions and I relish playing with that pressure. It has been a mixed start, but this season we want to win a trophy, and try to improve on last season’s seventh place finish.