The youngster, the first graduate of the Gosford outfit’s youth academy, has made a big impression on coach Lawrie McKinna, not least with his ability to communicate with senior colleagues out on the pitch.

And it seems Mr McAndrew senior can take a huge slice of the credit for his son’s vocal skills.

The youngster said: “As a sweeper or in the centre of defence or midfield you have to talk to the people in front of you.

“My dad taught me that from a very early age, probably from when I was about 10. He said communication was a very, very important part of the game and it was something that stuck with me.

“It’s been a natural thing for me to do really and you’re doing it because it helps the team.”

‘Dad’ is Tony McAndrew who knows a bit about the game, having played himself during a spell in Scotland.

He said: “Yeah, he’s been there for me and it’s been great for me to have that, as well as the coach and the staff at the club now.”

It has been a rapid rise into the senior ranks for the Central Coast youngster. One minute he was a young hopeful, then training with the senior squad, whipped off to Hong Kong for a tournament and now a member of its Hyundai A-League squad.

He said: “I’m really, really enjoying it and it’s great to be working with a great bunch of boys who just want to work hard for each other.”

As the big kick off draws ever closer (Central Coast travels to Sydney for the season-opener) McAndrew and company have a final opportunity to fine tune their fitness levels and skills when Mariners host Queensland Roar at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday night.

McAndrew said: “It should be another good game and they’ve brought in players like Danny Tiatto and Craig Moore (the latter is poised to make his Roar debut in this game).

“So you respect them but Lawrie and the staff make sure we focus on the things we need to do in our own game.

“It’s about what you do in that 90 minutes on the night, whoever you come up against.”

Such a mature outlook for such a young player can only bode well for the Mariners’ future but even though McAndrew is not afraid to speak his mind, there is one vocal mark on his copybook.

It seems that there has been at least one communication blip though.

He said: “I was sent off aged 15 for talking back/dissent. Yeah, I don’t think Dad was too impressed.”

The winners of Sunday’s clash will secure third place in the Pre-Season Cup and the Mariners are expected to be boosted by the inclusion of new boy Greg Owens. John Hutchinson misses out with an ankle problem though.

The match kicks off at 4pm.