Graham Arnold has unfinished business with Socceroos who will take on Mexico in September

As he unveiled the Socceroos squad set to take on Mexico in Dallas, coach Graham Arnold revealed why he knocked back a job offer.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold . (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has revealed he knocked back an approach from Scottish club Hibernian because he’s “got a job to do” with the Australian team looking to build on last year’s World Cup success.

Arnold, who signed a four-year extension as national coach after taking the Socceroos to the round of 16 in Qatar last year, had been linked to the vacancy at Scottish club Hibernian, based in Edinburgh, and confirmed the club reached out to talk to him after sacking manager Lee Johnson last week.

But as he confirmed the national recall of one of Hibs’ three Australians, Martin Boyle, in the 21-man squad for the September 10 clash with Mexico in Dallas, Arnold said he loved his job with the Socceroos too much to consider another offer.

“It was an honour that Hibs rang me and offered me the job, but I‘ve got a job to do here,” Arnold said on Friday after unveiling his squad for the September 10 friendly.

“I will say I love coaching our nation, I feel I’ve got a great job.

“For me it’s all about Mexico, getting ourselves ready for that and developing and helping our boys in Australia.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold knocked back an approach from Hibernian. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

“I spoke to their owner and at this moment the timing‘s not right.

“I have a job on my hands here and I have full focus on the Socceroos.”

Arnold has his leadership brigade of captain Mat Ryan, Harry Souttar, Aziz Behich, Mitch Duke, Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie all locked in for the trip as part of a squad that also features five uncapped players.

Fresh off a move to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough FC, Sam Silvera earns his call-up, along with goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer from Charlton Athletic FC as understudy to Ryan and Tom Glover.

Defender Cameron Burgess, who emigrated from Aberdeen to Australia as an 11-year-old, will also join the squad for the first time, while Alessandro Circati returns for his second senior national team camp after seeing plenty of game time with Parma Calcio 1913 in Serie B in Italy this season. Nick D’Agostino (Viking FK) will also join the camp in Dallas.

Destination: Dallas ✈️🇺🇸

📋 The 23-player squad named to face Mexico at AT&T Stadium! 🇲🇽

🇲🇽 v 🇦🇺 - 10.9.23, 12:00pm AEST
📱💻📺 Live on Network 10#MEXvAUS#Socceroospic.twitter.com/LJAaIDyBim

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) September 1, 2023

Boyle has been recalled for the first time since he suffered an ACL injury on the eve of last year’s World Cup campaign in Qatar where the Socceroos were knocked out by eventual champions Argentina after making it through to the round of 16.

Arnold said he’d been impressed by Boyle’s form on his return from injury.

“You’ve got to give the guy full credit, he had the operation in November last year and nine months later he’s back,” Arnold said.

“Most players take 12 months, so he’s done exceptionally well and hit the ground running straightaway with Hibs.

“It‘s great to have him back and if anyone does deserve anything it’s Boyley because he copped that injury just before the World Cup.”

Arnold also said the chance this window presented to the younger members of his squad was an exciting one, with the Asian Cup on his immediate radar before the 2026 World Cup being played in the US, Canada and Mexico.

“Playing Mexico is a great opportunity for the entire group, allowing us to not only test ourselves against quality opposition but also familiarise ourselves with playing in the United States as we look towards 2026,” Arnold said.

“We’re coming up against top Central American opposition in front of what I’m sure will be a lively home crowd, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the squad approaches and responds to that challenge.

Socceroos captain Mat Ryan has a new back-up goalkeeper. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

“We’ve brought several younger players into this camp to give the coaching staff a glimpse at how they can perform both within our system and on the international stage. We’ve closely monitored the form they’re bringing from their clubs, and I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen overall.

“The new members of the squad will have the benefit of working alongside many of our established, senior players, who will play an important role in instilling the values and principles of our group.”

SOCCEROOS SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (capt), Tom Glover, Ashley Maynard-Brewer*

Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Cameron Burgess*, Alessandro Circati*, Milos Degenek, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Ryan Strain

Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Martin Boyle, Cammy Devlin, Denis Genreau, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O‘Neill, Sammy Silvera*

Forwards: Nick D’Agostino, Mitch Duke, Mathew Leckie

*Denotes uncapped.