The Perth Glory striker enjoyed a taste of senior action in the dying stages of last season and it whetted his appetite for more.

The 20-year-old joined Glory towards the end of the 2006-7 campaign after completing his time at the Australian Institute of Sport.

He made such a positive impression under the watchful eye of Ron Smith and his coaching team that he was handed an extended stay.

Now the youngster is looking forward to getting his teeth into life as a professional and taking the opportunity he has been presented with.He certainly believes he is in the right environment to fluorish.

Rukavytsya, who teed up Jamie Harnwell’s winner in the Pre-Season Cup triumph over Newcastle Jets, said: “I am looking forward to the season and I’m really happy that I was able to make the step up.

“I’m enjoying it here and it’s a great place in which to learn because you’re surrounded by so many people with experience in the game.

“You try and do what the coaches tell you but there are also guys here with experience of playing overseas and also international football.”

Not that the striker isn’t without confidence to make an impact through his own endeavours.

Like all good forwards he just loves sticking the ball in the back of the net and is aiming to do just that for Glory in the coming months.

He said: “You just work hard to get into the right positions and aim to take the opportunities when they come along.”

The youngster cites Chelsea’s multi-million dollar forward Schevchenko as the striker he most admires.

He said: “I have always enjoyed watching him, he’s someone I really admire, although I wouldn’t say I model myself on any other striker in particular.”

Rukavytsya’s next chance to see the net bulge comes in round two of the Pre-Season Cup this weekend when Glory face Adelaide United.

The youngster said: “Things at the club are going well and everyone is looking forward to the games.

“It was good to start (the Pre-Season Cup) with a win and now we go on to the next match.”

Glory travel to Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night for their encounter with Adelaide (kick off 7.30pm).

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