Garang Kuol and Jason Cummings are on the plane to Qatar.Credit:Getty
It’s a massive call for an 18-year-oldtrapped between two countries,but one that has created a chance for in-form Scotland-based midfielder Baccus,who plays for St Mirren and is attracting interest from English clubs.
Baccus is one of seven players from the Scottish Premiership named in Australia’s squad.
“I have to say,it’s been a tough last few days - I’ve had to make a lot of phone calls just to disappoint people,which is very difficult,” Arnold said.
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“But I’d rather look at the positives,and look at this group of young players ... when you ring up a kid like Cam Devlin,who’s doing exceptionally well at Hearts,and ask him what he’s doing over the next few weeks ...[and then say] ‘You’re going to come to Qatar,come over here.’ And he breaks down in tears.
“Letting these kids fulfil their dreams is incredible. Those moments are great,but the hard ones outweigh them at the moment.”
The biggest shock,as forecast bythe AgeandHerald,was the snub of Australia’s best-performed goalkeeper at club level in recent years,Mitch Langerak. The 34-year-old retired from international football last year,citing Japan’s COVID-19 restrictions,but Arnold convinced him to come back to the fold,and it seemed he was a certainty to be picked for the World Cup.
However,Danny Vukovic and Andrew Redmayne – who,together with Ryan,have longstanding connections with Socceroos goalkeeping coach John Crawley – were given the nod ahead of him.
“We believe that we’ve picked our the three best goalkeepers for this World Cup and that’s what we’re sticking to,” Arnold said.
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