To see the Socceroos in Melbourne this morning...

Luke, last time we spoke you were about to return to Dynamo Moscow and onto Chechnya to play Terek Grozny in the Russian Premier League. Tell us about that weekend...

It's the same as always, not the most pleasant place [laughs] to go and play. The hotel was pretty poor, to put it mildly. You arrive and the airport's empty, deserted, and there's a load of security around. And on every corner of every street there's a guy there with his machine gun.

Generally they're already there, they're on the streets. We arrived at the hotel and there's about 10-15 guys standing outside very well armed. And you couldn't even call it a hotel - more like a bed and breakfast. It's interesting. That's how it is there. It's not the most comfortable night's sleep I had. It's far from what you're used to living in Australia.

Sounds like you've put your head down and just got on with the job over there?

Yeah, I'm working. You can't change the situation. It's part of the challenge and I don't know in a funny kind of way, that's what inspires me and pushes me on. The challenge because it's not easy to go to these places and goes onto a bad pitch or you don't eat well, or sleep well the night before the game.

But you've still got to perform. It's all part of the challenge and the life experience and maybe [laughs] that's what I sort of get my kicks out of. But yeah, I'm there to work, put my head down and try play my football.

Look, when we're in Moscow we get looked after but some of the away games. In Moscow I've got everything I could ever need. We have an international department for us foreign players not just for me but for my family. And our training base has absolutely everything. It's state of the art. It's better than what I've ever seen anywhere.

Tell us about some of the players who've caught your eye in the RPL?

I think Wellington, the striker from Spartak is very quick and a top goalscorer. Danni from Zenit is a former Dynamo player and he's got everything - work ethic and vision.

So an Aussie kid asks you about trying his luck in the RPL, what would you advise?

For sure, if you had the opportunity don't let it slip by but at the same time, it's not for the faint-hearted. You've got to go there with the right frame of mind, and expect difficult times when you get there. Because everything's not roses.

Sounds like that was part of the attraction for you...

I've been in England, Holland and been through Europe. I had good and difficult times there too. But at the time I was really enjoying my football in Holland and had two fantastic years there. It was a challenge. It was. And when the opportunity comes up and people say, 'Nah, you shouldn't do that'.

And no other Australian had been there, and maybe that's what it is that motivates you. Sometimes you don't realise that but there's something in you that's pushing you to do that when people say 'don't do that'. I wanna do that and show you that it isn't so bad.

I went there with my wife and with an open mind. And we looked around and realised it was something we could do and haven't looked back since. And without her being there, sacrificing to be with me, it would be impossible for me to do it. I need my loved ones beside me.

Tell us about your start in English football with Boro as a teenager...

I learnt a lot, I grew up quickly and played in the EPL and an FA Cup semi final at a young age and was in and around the national team. But I wasn't playing regularly - and that's me, I want to play. I'm not here to watch or make money. That was my motivation to leave Middlesbrough and play [for Bristol City].

In hindsight, it wasn't the best decision in my career because I had some difficult times at Bristol. I wanted to play week in, week out. Step down to the lower divisions in England and you can sometimes get caught in a rut.

It was where I was at and trying my hardest to get out of it and the national team was my lifeline. Luckily Guus saw enough of me to select me. You've got to work, and don't give up. And wait for your chance and make sure you take it.

Onto the Socceroos... Harry Kewell was on TV Sunday night speculating on the possibility he may go on till 2014? Your thoughts?

That's good to hear that from H. I was on the plane so I didn't see the interview but it's great. He's a top player of course and given health and fitness, it'd be fantastic. Like any of the elder players - even the likes of Schwarzy might be able to hobble along! I'm sure he'll try [laughs]. I'm sure he'll try. He'll probably be the oldest man ever at a World Cup. What, he'll be 47 at the next World Cup?!

Does Schwarzy appear younger as he gets older?

I don't know about that...! Look hopefully we're going to see a lot of younger players come through and really start to push into the team. Obviously there's a possibility some of the older players may not go through to the next World Cup. So it's crucial that we get that balance of younger players coming through and the experience. And for myself I want to stick around as long as I possibly can.

Have you spoken to your mate Mile Sterjovski about being left out of Pim's squad?

I haven't had a chance to speak to him. It's football. A lot of boys will be disappointed.

But I'd have to say, I read some article from other players who perhaps didn't get selected which I think is not correct. It's not right. It's not professional. It's not manly. And I think if you look at the way Mile's accepted it in a much more mature and sensible way.

Football's a game of opinions. It's like me at the last World Cup. I was playing against Japan and at the time I'd been playing for Bristol City. At the time Guus thought I could do a job for the team.

Tell us about the moment you found out you'd been selected for that Japan opener in Germany?

The moment I remember most leading up to the game was Timmy not playing. Timmy was my roommate. We thought both of us were playing. There was an excitement in the room leading up and up until the last meeting before we left in the bus, Timmy was in the team.

Then Timmy was called on the day of the game to speak with Guus. I remember him going then we went downstairs and he stayed downstairs and when we went down for the final meeting on that day, Timmy was just devastated. That's what sits in my mind - him not playing. I was sad. He's a mate of mine; we were roommates and first game in the World Cup.

But at the end, it was great to see him and he'd probably turn around and thank Guus for that.

You're on the verge of a second World Cup - not bad for a kid from Wollongong.

If you told me five years ago I could've achieved what I've done, I would've thought it wasn't even possible. But I always dreamed of it and believed I could do it, but at times you don't know - in football, you need a break and maybe that one break, you take your chances. But it didn't all just land on a plate, it takes times.

Is it a tougher group this time?

[Pauses] I think we have a tougher group, yeah, I'd probably say that. We're not going there to make up the numbers. In football at times you need a little bit of luck, hopefully we get that. It's going to be close run but we've definitely got ambitions. It's not beyond us to get through this group.

Germany would be clear favourites to win our group and possibly one of the tournament favourites. Hopefully we can catch them cold a little bit and try get a result.

The World Cup bid has just been handed into FIFA yet the AFL bosses don't seem keen on having the tournament here. Is that an unAustralian attitude to take?

We're a sporting nation. Not just a rugby nation, or cricket nation, we're a sporting nation. And I think it would be very unAustralian-like and disappointing for the sports people of Australia not to want to bring something like that to our country, to show the world, and for the Australian people to experience the event.

I've just been reading the ticket sales of Aussies going to South Africa. Imagine if we hosted it? Remember the last World Cup, some people who don't watch soccer but come the World Cup, it brings the country together. It's not just about that code of sport, it's about the country.

Sometimes you've got to look at the big picture.

And finally Luke, you've got this bandage across your forehead... what happened?

It's just a little bit of BCC [Basal Cell Carcinoma], it's a small type of cancer from the sun. It's no problem if you get it early enough. It's only a problem if it gets into the nerves. It's the second time around with the doctor to make sure it's all clear. But I'm okay.

Can you still head a ball?

I've never been able to head a ball!

Thanks Luke, all the very best. 

To see the Socceroos in Melbourne this morning...