The 22-year-old Ukrainian-born striker proved a lucrative transfer for the Perth club when he crossed to Dutch Eredivisie challenger FC Twente at the end of last season, having scored 10 goals for the Glory during 2008-09.

But Rukavytsya has struggled to get game time in the Netherlands and Mitchell fears that could impact badly on his chances for Socceroos' selection.

"There's always a chance (for Socceroos' selection) but he's got to play," said Mitchell.

 Referring to Twente's second-place finish in the Dutch league this season, which sees it earn Champions League qualification, he added: "They're a good side he went to.

"If he forces his way into the side quite regularly then I think he's got a chance of staking a claim in the squad (but) he has to be playing and when he's playing, he has to do well."

Mitchell was on hand to see Australia's two final World Cup qualifiers in Sydney and Melbourne last week as he kept a close eye on new Glory signings Jacob Burns and Mile Sterjovski, who scored in the Socceroos' 2-0 win over Bahrain.

But the Glory mentor is flabbergasted by the way the media has treated national coach Pim Verbeek, who's been repeatedly accused of boring, defensive tactics.

"I think the stick that the team's been getting about the way they played has been ridiculous," Mitchell said.

"The job was to qualify for the World Cup and they did it with two games to go so I think the whole coaching staff want to be applauded and Football Federation Australia (FFA) because it's great they've appointed Pim.

"Everyone says Pim who at the time but it just shows, he's qualified in flying colours and I'm really, really happy for him personally.

"It seems that people are looking for things to come up with (to criticise the Socceroos') because things have gone so smoothly.

"Let's just forget about it and go on with concentrating on the World Cup because it's a job well done and (people should) stop the rubbish and the criticism."