Your circumstances have changed dramatically since 2006. Before you were a surprise package from the lower English divisions, now you're established first choice and goalscoring right back from the top league in Russia. Quite a transformation!
Yeah, it's a bit different for me this time round. I was in a tough situation last time, where I had to make my way and fight. I had to earn the respect of my teammates, coaches and supporters through my performances. I seemed to have done that in recent years.

How have you changed as a player in those four years?
I've certainly improved and that is what you strive to do. That's left my position in the Socceroos a lot stronger.

This is your second World Cup. Did you ever think that you'd play in two tournaments when so many great Aussie players didn't make one?
It is a dream for any young footballer that you get the chance to play in a World Cup and represent your country. It is great as an Australian when there are so many great players around the world who haven't experienced one, someone like Ryan Giggs for example. It is a massive deal as not everyone gets to live out their dreams.

We've got very tough physical teams in the group, but not known for speed and width. Does this give you a little more freedom to push forward, or is it all about staying tight at the back?
We'll have to wait and see when the time comes. Pim will have his gameplan on how he wants us to play against whichever team we are playing and I'll be doing whatever he's asking for.

Do you have to curb your attacking instincts at all playing for the Socceroos compared to your club?
For Dynamo Moscow this season I've played a couple of games at right-back but the majority of my games in the centre of midfield. So it is in my nature when I play right-back to get forward, so when wingers come up against me they know they'll have to defend too. That's just my game.

You mentioned playing in the middle of the pitch as well as in the right of defense. Where do you prefer?
I just enjoy playing, so I'll do my best wherever I'm asked to play.

How much time have you spent thinking about the World Cup leading into the tournament?
It's tough as it is always there in your mind and things remind you of it. You have to try and stay focused on your club while the season is going on, as your most important game is your next game. You start to get preparations ready, I have my wife and young daughter in Russia too, so it was about trying to sort what she's doing while I'm away.

What's the World Cup build-up been like in Russia, especially as they're not going to be there?
It's difficult to say as I don't read the Russian papers or watch their TV! The Russian league breaks up during the World Cup, so with the national team not going most of them are looking forward to a break instead.

The Russian season runs from March to November. How will that affect your match fitness going into the World Cup in June? How many games do you have under your belt?
I played right up until I went into camp and I think that is a good thing for my fitness, I'm feeling good. I have played 11 or 12 games going into the World Cup.

When will you be back on domestic duty after the World Cup?
Straight after the finals. When I go back to Russia depends on how long Australia are in the World Cup. Remembering that we're going all the way to the final!

There is a fair amount of down time at the World Cup. How do the players unwind?
Maybe on Skype talking to your family, or watching movies, sleeping, but most of all it is about conditioning yourself to be ready for the games. The boys also like a game of table-tennis or PlayStation, we get some cards going playing some Hearts too. In terms of who's the best, there will probably be about a dozen who claim to be that guy!

This seems to be a really tight-knit group. How much is that closeness going to help?
That's our strong point - the team camaraderie. We love meeting up and going into camp and that can only help when putting in a performance on the pitch.

What is a successful World Cup for the Socceroos this time around?
You have to look at the group we have and be realistic. If we can get through that tough group then it will be a massive achievement.

This article appeared in the July issue of FourFourTwo magazine. To buy back copies of this issue call 03-8317-8121 with a credit card to hand.