Cameron Devlin’s Socceroos dream set to come true against New Zealand at Eden Park

Hearts midfielder Cameron Devlin has patiently waited for his chance to play for the Socceroos.

Former Phoenix midfielder Cameron Devlin is set to make his Socceroos debut. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Having dreamt for his whole life about playing for the Socceroos, tough midfielder Cameron Devlin has vowed to make the most of his expected national team debut against New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday.

With Socceroos coach Graham Arnold set to field a completely different 11 to the team that started in Australia’s 1-0 win over the All Whites on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium, a host of fringe players and debutants such as Devlin will get a chance to push for World Cup selection at Eden Park.

“All my life I’ve been waiting for this, and to be here is unreal,” Devlin said.

“The opportunity to represent your country at any level, let alone the Socceroos, is something that is every kid’s dream, and something that I’ve been wanting for a very long time.

“To wear that jersey and step on that field. it will be a moment that will live with me for the rest of my life.”

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Sydney-born Devlin, 24, made a name for himself in the A-League with Wellington Phoenix before moving last year to Scottish Premiership club Hearts.

“When the opportunity came for me to go to Hearts it was something that I jumped at straight away,” he said.

“I’ve progressed not only as a player but massively as a person, on my own, away from all my family. That’s helped me massively on the pitch.

“I’m loving life over there.”

Hearts fans have also fallen in love with the gritty Devlin, who despite standing at just 170cm, doesn’t take a backwards step when going head-to-head with bigger and stronger opponents.

“I played rugby league growing up, and I think that maybe depicts the way I play now with my aggression,” he said.

“When I started playing football, I was a competitive kid, just like I am now.”

Despite earlier calls for a Socceroos call-up, Devlin has had to wait patiently for his chance, which has given him a “bit more fire in the belly”.

“I believe that I’m a good enough player to be here (with the Socceroos), but being here is just another step,” he said.

“You come here and you see players that have been here for so long, players that I’ve been watching and wanting to be around, and now to be around them ... (I’m) just asking questions and finding a bit more about what it’s like to be a Socceroo.

“If I get told that I’ll be in the starting 11 (on Sunday), or even if I’m on the bench and get told that I’m coming on, it’s normal to be a bit nervous, but it’ll just be (a feeling of) excitement and I’ll be super proud.”

Originally published as Cameron Devlin’s Socceroos dream set to come true against New Zealand at Eden Park