Perth Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy hails influence of coach Tony Popovic

Liam Reddy is enjoying his strongest season yet at Perth Glory, and credits coach Tony Popovic with a professionalism he’s not experienced at his 10 previous clubs.

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When controversy walked through the door, Liam Reddy often followed.

Whether it was punching a National Soccer League opponent, getting drunk on a flight to an A-League final or being suspended by Central Coast, there’s a little trivia in there for any follower of the custodian’s colourful career.

But something peculiar has occurred at Perth Glory this season, which Reddy has not only played the most minutes of any of his 13 A-League campaigns but also kept a league-high 12 clean sheets and won his first piece of silverware at the age of 37.

And that was before he saved four penalties and scored his own spot-kick in a semi-final performance so epic FIFA tweeted it to its 13 million followers.

By his own reckoning, Reddy is enjoying his strongest season yet at his 11th professional club.

Perth Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy is preparing to play in his first grand final after 13 seasons in the A-League. Picture: Getty Images

He redirects much credit to his teammates for a strong defensive structure, and to his goalkeeper coach Danny Milosevic.

But there’s a special mention for Glory coach Tony Popovic, the coach who, for all intents and purposes, has tamed one of Australian football’s least-manageable characters.

“It’s the way he goes about his business,” Reddy tells The Daily Telegraph.

“He’s a straight shooter, and he doesn’t ask anything of you that he wouldn’t do himself.

“He is the most professional coach I’ve had in terms of how he wants things done and what he expects of himself and his staff, but also his players.

“The times I’ve had run-ins with people is because I think things can be done better.

“If I think something can be done better at a football club I’m not going to sit there and keep my mouth shut, I’ll say it needs to be done better.

Perth Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy saves a penalty during the semi-final against Adelaide United. Picture: Getty Images

“I don’t need to do that with Tony Popovic because he’s the one driving that exact message.

“That’s why I enjoy working under him ... that’s why we came first this year and have the chance to do the double on the weekend.”

Reddy has never sugar coated a thing.

He didn’t when he described life at Brisbane Roar under Ange Postecoglou as “like going to the dentist” before leaving, nor when he openly questioned the methods of Mariners coach Tony Walmsley and was then ousted.

There was also the time a 21-year-old Reddy was sent off for Parramatta Power after punching Olympic Sharks defender Mark Byrnes.

And the following year when his father, former Australian rugby league international and St George Dragons forward Rod Reddy, got into an altercation with Power coach Nick Theodorakopoulos, whom Reddy later fell out with at the Newcastle Jets.

Liam Reddy says Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic has brought out the best in him. Picture: AAP

Then, in 2012, when his contract with Sydney FC was terminated for “serious misconduct” after drinking on a flight to Wellington for an elimination final against the Phoenix.

Throughout it all Reddy, the brother of former NRL player Joel Reddy and netballer Bianca Reddy, has performed on the pitch.

But it wasn’t until he joined Popovic at the Wanderers and was promptly told to lose 6kg that the veteran found a figure he trusted and respected completely, one who “reminded me again of the little things that can make you successful”.

The details that might make the difference if penalties also decide Sunday’s grand final against Sydney FC at Optus Stadium, to where his whole family will fly from Adelaide and Sydney to watch.

Liam Reddy will be taking on former side Sydney FC in the grand final

Popovic knows well the way some players only respond to a kick in the arse while others crave a comforting arm around the shoulder.

“He’s probably needed a bit of everything,” Popovic said.

“I feel he just needed some guidance in terms of what we wanted to achieve on the field and how we wanted to achieve it, and he embraced that in his own way and has really shone through this year.

“He hasn’t had a lot to do this year which is great, but when he’s been called upon he’s done a good job. On the weekend we needed him and he stood up really tall.”