Valkanis has experience working with Tongyik at former club Adelaide United and did not hesitate to play him as a centre-back in Friday's 1-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.

Tongyik made his debut in the 1-1 draw to Sydney FC a month ago and has featured in four games since then.

“I’ve known since he was 15, when we brought him into the youth team so we’ve watched him grow and he’s developed under us,” Valkanis said.

“He’s talented, I don’t think there are many defenders that are so technically gifted on the ball and so comfortable on the ball.

“We noticed that at a young age with Ruon, he was a real skinny kid and he had to work more on his defensive game.

“He’s done a very good job and as I said the experience he gained in the previous three or four games where even playing in the three, he took that pressure, played with the calmness he’s got and I think it’s going to be great for us.”

It was Valkanis’ first game as interim coach after the unexpected resignation of former head manager John van ’t Schip during the week.

After conceding it was an emotional week, he was content after City was able to keep a clean sheet in downing the Wanderers.

He however felt his team could have iced the game after Aritz Borda was sent off in the 30th minute for his elbow on Bruno Fornaroli.

“I thought the first half was very good and we created enough chances to win the game a little bit more comfortably,” he said.

“I think we had good clear cut chances, it shouldn’t have got to that. There was one or two times where they had opportunities but I don’t think clear cut.

“You’re always going to have opportunities against you. The only thing that could worry you was in the last five games, we have conceded those sort of goals.

“But today we had a clean sheet and the boys worked hard. It was difficult conditions, it was very, very hot and we played with a very good intensity in the first half. That affected our second half I think.”

Valkanis also dedicated the win to van’t Schip who is back home in the Netherlands attending to his sick father.

“It has been a tough week, someone who has been here for a very long time and part of this club shocked us with the news that he was resigning,” he said.

“This win was a little bit for John as well. The result was very important but with us it’s always about the style as well. Today the boys dominated the majority of the game.”