World Cup 2018: The passionate grandpa who set Melbourne-born Socceroo Jackson Irvine on path to Russia

THE GRANDFATHER of Melbourne-born Socceroo Jackson Irvine is rapt to see his grandson taking on the world, and confident Australia will defeat Denmark tonight and make it to the second round.

Mooroolbark’s Gerry Bakker will cheer on his grandson - Socceroos star Jackson Irvine - from his couch tonight. Picture: DANIEL POCKETT

HE taught him how to kick with both feet — and now Socceroo Jackson Irvine’s grandfather is proudly watching him take on the world.

Mooroolbark’s Gerry Bakker and wife Jenny will be cheering on the midfielder from their loungeroom tonight as Australia looks to keep their World Cup hopes alive in Russia against Denmark.

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Mr Bakker, 80, introduced Irvine to soccer when he was six years old, and coached him as a junior for four years at Ringwood City FC.

“The main thing I taught him was how to use his left foot, which he now does,” Mr Bakker said. “He loved soccer so much, he took to it like a duck to water.

Irvine, left, and France's Ngolo Kante challenge for the ball during the Australia v France clash on June 16. Picture: David Vincent, AP

“After the game he’d give me a kiss, and they’d say, why do you kiss your coach?

“I said, ‘Well, he is my grandson!”

Irvine came on as a substitute during Australia’s hard-fought loss to France in their opening group game on Saturday night.

“We all jumped up and cheered, all my sons and my grandsons, it was incredible,” Mr Bakker said.

“He deserves to be there, he’s very focused and all he ever wanted to do was play professional soccer and he’s made it, so it’s fantastic.”

Mr Bakker was confident the Socceroos could defeat Denmark tonight and Peru on Wednesday to book their place in the round of 16.

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“After how they performed against France, you’ve got to give them a chance,” he said.

“Peru are a good side too, but we can do it.”

“The opposition has only got two legs and one head, as we have, and we have some skilful players.”

Australia takes on Denmark at 10pm AEST tonight in their second World Cup group game.