Socceroos coach Graham Arnold says Hearts’ Ben Garuccio and Awer Mabil, 22 have been impressive in the Turkish-based camp.
AWER Mabil has been labelled as a diamond by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold with the national team boss also highly praising another ex-Adelaide United star Ben Garuccio.
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AWER Mabil has been labelled a “diamond” by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold with the national team boss also highly praising another ex-Adelaide United star Ben Garuccio.
He believes the uncapped pair are ready to take the next step.
Arnold says Hearts’ Garuccio, 23, and Mabil, 22, who plays for Denmark’s Midtjylland have been extremely impressive in the Turkish-based camp during the former Sydney FC title winner’s first look at what he has at his international disposal since the last time he was in charge in 2007.
“They both have a lot of confidence and Awer has put on some size and strength,’’ Arnold said.
“He always had that speed and that one-v-one action, they’re players that are diamonds for us, to have the one-v-one to make things happen individually especially in the attacking half of the pitch.
“Both of them (Mabil and Garuccio) have been doing great.”
Arnold also revealed he will be visiting Garuccio’s club next week and hopes to chat to centre back John Souttar who has an Australian mother.
However, that meeting could all be in vain given Scottish-born Souttar has been called up for international duty for Scotland after playing in the nation’s underage sides.
The 21-year-old is expected to earn some game time in a friendly against Belgium at Hamden Park on Saturday morning but if he takes the pitch against Albania in Scotland’s opening Group 1 UEFA Nations League it will tie him to the nation for good.
“I have watched him a few times and I plan on going to Hearts next week to meet Ben Garuccio and Oliver Bozanic’s coach and manager (Craig Levein),’’ Arnold said.
“In that time I was planning to catch up with him (Souttar) and see if it’s real, if he is eligible to play for Australia.”