Ryan Kitto says competition for spots means Adelaide United will won’t let FFA Cup chance slip
RYAN Kitto says competition for spots means Adelaide United will won’t let FFA Cup chance slip against an unheralded Queensland state league team.
RYAN Kitto is a poster boy for the rough diamonds and danger that unheralded state league rival Queensland Lions can pose for Adelaide United in Wednesday’s FFA Cup clash.
Cut by the Reds in 2014, Kitto bagged 17 goals for Birkalla in 2015 and a Sergio Melta Medal that won an A-League return with Newcastle Jets.
“We know we have to be at our best to get the result we want,” said Kitto ahead of Adelaide’s round of 16 clash at Perry Park.
“There are a lot of good players in the NPL and they get this opportunity against A-League teams, will go out and give it everything they have got as will we.
“We have been undergoing a big workload at training but pulling through well and excited about playing on Wednesday night.”
Obscure Redlands United handed the Reds an embarrassing round of 32 exit at Perry Park two years ago.
“They are a good team in the Brisbane NPL,” said Kitto of the Lions.
“We are putting all our efforts into this game.”
Kitto, 24, has impressed since returning to Hindmarsh, slotting seven of Adelaide’s 36 A-League goals last season.
“I am hoping to build on last year and working hard every single day to get me to the places I want to be,” said Kitto who started 16 of 25 games under Marco Kurz last season.
However, quality teams have two players vying for each spot. Kitto has top shelf competition for a start out wide following the off-season arrival of former Socceroos Craig Goodwin and Ben Halloran. Flyer Nikola Mileusnic is pursuing a managed pre-season.
“I like playing my football on the wing but happy to do a role where required. I am going to fight to take one of those wing positions but open to other opportunities as well if the team requires it,” he said.
Stopper Michael Jakobsen and left-back Scott Galloway will replace Ersan Gulum and Ben Garuccio. Bundesliga veteran Mirko Boland and Dane Ken Ilso have bolstered Adelaide’s attacking stocks which include marquee Baba Diawara and George Blackwood.
“There are a lot of options in the attacking third so it is important that we are fit and firing and that when one of us gets an opportunity we take it,” Kitto told The Advertiser.
Competition is a wonderful thing. I am excited by the squad we are building for the season.”
German mentor Kurz has created the perfect atmosphere where reputations count for nothing, only hard yards and good camaraderie.
“There is no special treatment. It is good to have that environment where you know you will be rewarded for your output,” said Kitto.
“The most important thing is the character of the players we have brought in have gelled well.”