Asian Cup: Phil Moss, Kenny Lowe caution Danny De Silva is not Socceroos saviour

DANNY De Silva’s reputation continues to boom, but Central Coast coach Phil Moss cautions it’s too early to talk up the 17-year-old as a saviour of Australian football.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20: Daniel De Silva of the Glory celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 12 A-League match between Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners at nib Stadium on December 20, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

A GOAL-OF-THE-SEASON contender has added lustre to Danny De Silva’s boom reputation, but Central Coast coach Phil Moss cautions it’s too early to talk up the 17-year-old as a saviour of Australian football.

VIDEO: DE SILVA STUNNER AS GLORY CRUISE

De Silva produced a wonder goal to help power Perth Glory to a 4-1 A-League win over Central Coast at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

With his back turned towards goal, De Silva tapped the ball up to himself before unleashing a roundhouse strike to bury the ball past a backpedalling Liam Reddy.

It was De Silva’s second A-League goal within the space of a month, with the rising star also nailing a goal in the club’s FFA Cup quarter-final win over Melbourne Victory.

De Silva, who will join up with Italian giants AS Roma at the end of the season, was initially considered a slim chance to make the final 23-man Socceroos squad for the Asian Cup.

But after producing a string of strong performances, De Silva has put himself firmly in the frame, especially after fellow midfielder Mitch Nichols was ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

Moss said it was important not to heap too much pressure on De Silva just yet.

“We’ve got to be careful with these talents coming through,” he said.

“There’s plenty of them in Australia, but we’ve got to give them a chance to learn their trade and let time be the judge.

“There’s been plenty of kids at his age that have fallen by the wayside because they couldn’t handle the pressure. We’ve just got to go quietly with him.

“It wasn’t that long ago that everyone was talking up Tommy Rogic as the knight in shining armour for the World Cup.

“He went away to Scotland and got himself injured, and then didn’t even figure.”

Glory coach Kenny Lowe wasn’t against the 17-year-old being part of the Asian Cup experience, but only if he had a minor role.

“It depends in what context,” Lowe said.

Danny De Silva and his Glory teammates celebrate his amazing goal.

“Do you want him to go there and run the show and be the man? Not going to happen, he’s not ready.

“Do you want him go and get a taste of something that he might get a taste of in the future to give him a little bit of experience? I don’t know, but I’m not going to tell people or second guess people.”

Originally published as Asian Cup: Phil Moss, Kenny Lowe caution Danny De Silva is not Socceroos saviour