New Perth signing Jacob Burns believes a successful season with the Glory will be the catalyst that he, and fellow Qantas Socceroo Mile Sterjovski, needs to secure a place in the World Cup finals next year.
New Perth signing Jacob Burns believes a successful season with the Glory will be the catalyst that he, and fellow Qantas Socceroo Mile Sterjovski, needs to secure a place in the World Cup finals next year.
Speaking after his first training session in Perth, Burns believes the move to the Perth and the Hyundai A-League will increase his chances of national selection with Australian coach Pim Verbeek able to see him perform on a more regular basis than in Romanian with former side Unirea Urziceni.
“I think Pim has always picked his team based on how players are playing,” Burns said on Monday.
“Being fit, that’s been a main point.
“Guys can be in any league in any club, even the top clubs, but if they’re playing for the reserves or they’re not getting any game time then he (Pim) doesn’t play them.
“For all of us that are involved in the Socceroos I think it’s good for Pim to be able to see us week in, week out. The logistics of players in various competitions means he can’t see us play all over in Europe, so I think it’s a good opportunity to show what you’ve got, show that you’re in form by playing in Australia.”
“I think if we’re doing well (as a team) then hopefully we reap the benefits,” he said.
Burns also said he’s done his bit to convince fellow Socceroo Chris Coyne to sign for the Gory this season. The Colchester United Captain is expected to notify this week regarding his intentions after weighing up offers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
“I have (spoken to him),” Burns said. “Chris is a fantastic player. He’s done a great job with the Socceroos and he’s had a great career over in England as well.
“It’d be another great addition to the side and we could benefit from his experience.
“I have had a chat to him and said, ‘what’s going on, come on get back here-, but he has to make up his own mind and he’s got his own circumstances to consider.”
When quizzed on why he decided to return, Burns said that following nine years in Europe playing for Leeds, Barnsley, Wisla Krakow and Unirea, he wanted to pull on the boots in Australia while still at his best and chose Perth knowing Dave Mitchell was determined to put together a side capable of winning the Championship.
“I think that with Mile coming back and Toddy (Andy Todd) over here, plus Dave Mitchell being the coach and knowing Perth-s set-up, I wanted to be part of that and put something back into the Hyundai A-League really.
“Romania wasn-t the easiest place to raise a family and so I think it is a good time to come back and I think I’m the right age too,” he said.
