Sydney FC attacking fullback Rhyan Grant says he needs to put in consistent performances over a longer period before any mention of a national team call up includes his name.
Some eye-catching displays during the Sky Blues 15 game undefeated run has been Grant singled out as a possible bolter for the Australian national team.
However, he has hit a few road bumps of late - conceding a penalty against Central Coast and enduring a tough time during last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Western Sydney.
While hearing his name linked to the Socceroos has the forner youth international buzzing, Grant admits he needs to maintain a solid run of form.
“To be fair I’ve never really considered it to be honest,” he said of the growing national team talk.
“It’s a dream when you are a youngster, I’m 25 now so you sort of think if you don’t get that chance when you are a bit younger then it goes past you.
“But when people chuck my name in there I’m stoked about it. I’m not reading into it too much. Obviously, you need to be doing pretty well for a long period of time and not just half a season.”
Sydney Head Coach Graham Arnold’s tactics have given both fullbacks a more prominent role this season which has allowed Grant to have a greater impact on the game.
“This year both me and Michael Zullo like to get forward and Arnie has let us off the leash a little bit,” he said.
“So, if we can read a pass or try and intercept Arnie is happy for us to do that. We know as fullbacks we are pretty important to the team with the way we play. It’s more my natural game. Both me and Zullo do that well and if it’s working you’re not going to try and fix it.”
Arnold is keen to follow in the footsteps of Arsenal’s 2003/04 Premier League title winning side, although Grant prefers to steer clear of the “Invincible” tag.
“I’ll leave that (talk) to those guys,” he said. “They obviously have a lot more experience in the game and can see things if they can say that.
'I honestly am looking at one game at a time at the minute. Same as the Socceroos stuff, I’m not getting ahead of myself or looking too far ahead. I’m just enjoying it while I can and taking it each game as it comes.
"I know that is cliche, and everyone says it, but it’s how I go about things and it’s working this year so I will continue with it."
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