The A-League wonderkid said he held no regrets that his recent flirtation with one of the world’s biggest leagues didn’t lead to something concrete before the close of the transfer window.

Ryan, 20, flew to the UK last month to trial with Spurs and West Bromwich Albion but had a planned stint with Wigan curtailed due to injury.

He admitted that any deal with Spurs would have mirrored that of former teammate Mustafa Amini who was signed by Bundesliga club, Borussia Dortmund, last year then loaned back to the Gosford outfit.

“I was happy with the way I performed at Tottenham, particularly in the last trial game I felt like I performed pretty well,” Ryan said.

“They contacted the club asking what price they’d be willing to sell me for but I think the Mariners were kind of asking a little bit too much.

“They see me kind of as a valuable player at the moment and they weren’t about to let me go for less than the price tag they had on me.

“I mean, if anything was to eventuate it would have been a similar to the deal with Musti in terms of being loaned back here anyway.”

The Joe Marston medallist and A-League 2011/12 Goalkeeper of the Year, scoffed at suggestions he might struggle to keep his feet on the ground following his recent EPL adventure and said he was as keen as ever to help last season’s premiers achieve further success.

“I’m feeling pretty good and excited about the upcoming A-League season,” Ryan said.

“Obviously the transfer window’s now closed and nothing eventuated this time round but it was a great experience and definitely a time I’ll cherish.

“It makes you appreciate the game so much more after seeing the kind of pinnacle of players at those clubs and what they can do.

“Now I’ve got to put my mind to (the A-League). I know I’ve still got a lot of hard work ahead if I someday want to take that next step overseas.

“First and foremost I’ve got to keep my club form up, get back out on the pitch here and keep putting in the performances. I know the importance of that and I’m not about to take that for granted.”

Ryan, who hurt his shoulder on just his second day into his Spurs trial, was back in full training this week.

Overseas clubs will get the chance to reassess their interest in the talented shot stopper when the transfer window reopens in January.

Barring that, the Mariners’ No 1 becomes a free agent next April and enters the hurly burly world of contract negotiations – another experience he’s keen to notch up in his so far short but brilliant career.

“This will be my first experience coming off contract and from what I’ve heard from my peers, it’s a bit of an exciting time,” he said.

“I’m certainly looking forward to the future. I’ve had a great kick start being here at the Mariners and I’m excited to see what happens in the next decade or two. Hopefully I’m still playing in 20 years.

“If you look at Schwarzer and Brad Friedel and the likes of those keepers they’re playing around 40 years of age. I’m 20 so if you do the maths.

“With the start that I’ve been given, I’ve been pretty fortunate and I’m excited to see what the future holds - not that I’m thinking too far ahead.”