CLICK HERE TO SEE GOLD COAST TRAIN IN TASSIE

The 28-year-old ex Norwich, Barnsley and Blackburn striker joined coach Miron Bleiberg’s side at the start of the season and has impressed at times with his power and precision.

But despite some eye-catching performances the loss of Shane Smeltz and Jason Culina has inevitably hurt United as a finals finish looks impossible.

If United's season ends on March 25 against Brisbane Roar, Rigters sounded like a man who was keeping his options open.

“I didn’t talk about the next year yet so I don’t know yet,” he said when quizzed about his future after training at Aurora Stadium. “I’m the type of guy I don’t mind travelling other parts of the world.

“I enjoy Australia now and I’m happy here at Gold Coast but you never know what happens next year.

“Everything can happen. You have to see what kind of offers you get and you choose the best and you follow your heart.

“That’s how football goes.”

But Rigters saw the game growing across Australia - particularly when he saw larger crowds across the nation.

“I didn’t expect this much football here," he said. "So that’s a good thing. It’s all positive and you can see it [the game] growing.

“And of course you have to learn from the other competitions which have been here longer. But it ain’t gonna be in one day, you have to be patient.”

Rigters paid tribute to Bleiberg’s coaching philosophy but conceded the team have fallen short as the wooden spoon looms.

“You can call it unlucky but we just need to win our games. Now we’re down in the bottom but we’re not a bad team. And we always play good football,” he said.

“We just need to score more. We still have a chance we just need to win our games.”

Meanwhile, Rigters’ visit to Tasmania for tonight’s clash with Victory has apparently given him a quick lesson in geography.

“I didn’t really know it [Tasmania] was in Australia,” he admitted, as well as admitting he also wasn’t sure which side was the home team either.

But he added: "It’s a good experience and good for the people here to show the football that maybe they have a lot of talent here.

“And so it’s always good to play in other places.”

Follow me on Twitter @Aidothejourno

CLICK HERE TO SEE GOLD COAST TRAIN IN TASSIE