Andrew Redmayne resolute as goalkeeper competition heats up for Socceroos in preparation for World Cup

Andrew Redmayne has propelled to superstardom, but the goalkeeper is under no illusions of his standing in the team as the Socceroos prepare for games against New Zealand, writes ADAM PEACOCK.

Andrew Redmayne remains humbled by Socceroos selection. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Andrew Redmayne is waiting for his turn to talk at a Socceroos press conference on a beautiful day to be outside in Brisbane’s CBD, when a man strolls up to him and starts dancing.

The man – possibly too old to be dancing in public, but young at heart – and dressed in a well-worn Brisbane Roar polo short, starts bouncing from side to side.

“You’re him!” he says to Redmayne, who can only smile back. “You are the reason we got to the World Cup!”

“Nah, mate, team effort, was a team effort,” Redmayne offers.

“Good luck for the World Cup!” says the man, who floats off in the Brisbane sunshine, leaving Redmayne shrugging his shoulders.

“It’s not the first time that’s happened,” Redmayne says, knowing full well it won’t be the last either.

The Grey Wiggle in action. Picture: Mustafa Abumunes/AFP

The penalty shootout where Redmayne saved Peru’s sixth attempt to get Australian through to a fifth-straight World Cup has certainly changed the towering shot-stoppers’ day-to-day life. But it hasn’t affected the man himself.

Redmayne’s just enjoying the ride, which six weeks ago plonked him on-set for a day of filming in Sydney with The Wiggles themselves.

Parts of the filming were released on social media late last week, and reached Peru, where the wound is still open. The translate button on the Twitter comments revealed as such, with Redmayne called every name under the sun.

“It’s well and truly off the bucket list, Peru,” Redmayne chuckles.

Redmayne loved the experience, as did his toddler daughter Poppy, who now gets to see dad dance with her screen idols.

Toot toot chugga chugga big Redmayne! 🤗🚘

It's official. @redders_20 is the Grey Wiggle.@TheWiggles 🤝 #Socceroospic.twitter.com/81RJykuCUI

— Socceroos (@Socceroos) September 16, 2022

“It’s on 24/7 at our house at the moment. I knew all the dance moves and the words. Was second nature!” Redmayne says, who kept his official grey Wiggles shirt and will get around to framing it.

“[The publicity] is something I’m enjoying. Sometimes I need a welcome distraction from football but anything (is good) to help raise the profile of the game in Australia.

“The day after that game, there were videos of kids in schools and playgrounds doing (the dance). Anything that I could do to give back to the game I’m more than happy to do.

“Having said that, I still have a job to do for Australia and Sydney FC this season.”

Redmayne is in Brisbane this week with the Socceroos, who are preparing for two games against New Zealand, the final warm-ups before the World Cup in November.

Andrew Redmayne’s moves have impressed daughter Poppy. Picture: Damian Shaw

There are three keepers in camp. Redmayne, Maty Ryan and Mitch Langerak, who is back in the Socceroos’ set-up after retiring during the pandemic due to the constrictions of quarantine while travelling in lockdowns away from his young family in Japan.

Ryan jets in tomorrow from FC Copenhagen, who he’s playing Champions League for. Langerak is in imperious form with Nagoya in Japan’s J1 League, while Redmayne is yet to start proper work for the season, with Sydney FC and the A-League Men’s not underway for another fortnight.

Socceroos goalkeeper coach John Crawley has long-maintained there is no distinct pecking order when it comes to any camp, with all three keepers not given any guarantees.

“No idea,” Redmayne says when asked if he expects to get game time in the two games against New Zealand.

“I’ve said all along I’m under no illusions about my place in Australian football and my place in the squad, I’m truly humbled every time I do get called up and I’ll just do my thing and work hard, as I always do.”

The Socceroos play New Zealand on Thursday night in Brisbane before travelling to Auckland for another game against the All Whites on Sunday.

Plenty more time for strangers to come up and offer their impersonation of the Grey Wiggle.

Originally published as Andrew Redmayne resolute as goalkeeper competition heats up for Socceroos in preparation for World Cup