Rhyan Grant says sudden Socceroos start against Jordan denied him the chance to worry

Socceroos defender Rhyan Grant found the good in his whirlwind competitive international debut in Australia’s defeat to Jordan admitting he didn’t have time to be nervous.

Australia will need Rhyan Grant’s positivity. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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THERE was no time for second-guessing, and the whirlwind nature of Rhyan Grant’s competitive international debut has prepared him well for a likely Asian Cup start.

The Sydney FC right-back was unexpectedly thrown on at halftime against Jordan after first choice Josh Risdon pulled up with a sore groin.

“It was sort of a blessing in disguise for me not to have to think about it too much or worry myself, it worked out pretty well for me,” Grant said.

“I just had to do all I could being a fresh face coming on at halftime, I had a lot of energy to sort of try and give to the team.

“They sat back a lot more in the second half so there was a lot more space to try stuff.

“It was good just to be a part of it, but still trying to learn and do what I can to improve and really feel part of it.”

Australia will need Rhyan Grant’s positivity. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)

A lot of Grant’s game is, by his own reckoning, “just about being positive and enthusiastic”.

The 27-year-old injects a similar dose of attacking spirit into his A-League shifts, fearless on the overlap or even tucking inside.

A few short months after returning from an ACL injury, his rapid return to career-best form earned him a call-up by former Sky Blues coach Graham Arnold and then a first cap against Lebanon in November.

Now Risdon’s understudy is set for his time in the limelight, and will out to break down a stout Palestine defence.

“I can only try,” he said.

“If I get the chance to play, I’ll definitely do my best to try and help the team in every way possible, whether it’s trying to get forward to make things happen or make sure I’m sitting back and defending well.

“I’ve been in a few camps now so that’s made it easier coming into the tournament.

“I feel like I’m getting along with all the boys and getting to know everyone so it’s so far so good for me.

“Football wise it’s always a step up, I wouldn’t say I was worried about it but I was always cautious that I had to ease my way into it.”

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Originally published as Rhyan Grant says sudden Socceroos start against Jordan denied him the chance to worry