Sky Blues captain Rhyan Grant desperate to revive Sydney’s fortunes

Sydney FC captain Rhyan Grant is embracing his leadership role in a Sky Blues team intent on regaining form.

If there has been a silver lining to Sydney FC’s disappointing A-League form, it’s Rhyan Grant’s improvement as a captain as he attempts to guide the Sky Blues out of a rut threatening to derail their season.

Back-to-back defeats, including an embarrassing 4-3 home loss to cellar dwellers Brisbane Roar, have resulted in the Sydneysiders sliding out of the top six ahead of Saturday’s clash against an in-form Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium.

Having been tipped by many before the start of the season to win the title, Sydney’s 2024-25 campaign has been patchy, with a leaky defence continuing to plague the Sky Blues.

It hasn’t sat well with Grant in his first season as club captain, particularly as he is also part of a Sydney backline that has been constantly scrutinised.

Sydney FC captain Rhyan Grant says it’s ‘must-win’ time for the Sky Blues. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

“At times this season, when we’re on, people can see what we can do,” Grant said.

“It’s just a matter of being on and being consistent. If we want to be right up there, we need to get a bit of a wriggle on as soon as possible.”

Sydney’s issues have led to Grant, who turns 34 next month, being shifted in recent weeks from his long-time right-back position to a central defensive role.

“It’s something I didn’t think I would really enjoy. I like to get forward and get among it, but I’m finding it good to be able to control things a little bit more and help organise the boys in the middle of the park,” he said.

“At the moment, I’m very happy there.”

Grant has also started to embrace the captaincy after being named as Sydney’s new skipper following the off-season departure of midfielder Luke Brattan.

“I wasn’t too fussed whether I was captain or not, but now that I’ve got the role, it’s something that I’m enjoying and learning about every day,” he said.

“Being captain, there is a responsibility to make sure I’m showing up every day, driving the boys to stay positive and get us to turn around these results of late and make sure we’re doing better.”

Our last few meetings with Adelaide United have produced box office football 🤯

22 goals scored between both teams in four games and we meet them again on Saturday afternoon at Allianz Stadium ⚽️

Grab tickets here 🎟️ https://t.co/U7tCKv5mi3#WeAreSydneypic.twitter.com/SxRc82U46f

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) January 29, 2025

Grant said this weekend’s clash with the Reds and the following weekend’s derby against Western Sydney Wanderers, also at Allianz Stadium, were “must-win” games for the Sky Blues.

“Playing at home is super important to us, and we want to make the most of that,” he said.

And while it’s not a time to be clowning around on the training paddock, the Sky Blues have escaped the grind with a session with performers from Cirque Du Soleil, which completes its Sydney run at the Entertainment Quarter on February 9.

“It was good fun. We got taught a few things,” Grant said.

Originally published as Sky Blues captain Rhyan Grant desperate to revive Sydney’s fortunes