Socceroos and Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie tipped to fire in A-League decider

Star Socceroo Mathew Leckie has overcome a hamstring injury to make a timely return to form ahead of the A-League grand final.

Mathew Leckie (left) is set to star for Melbourne City in the A-League grand final. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Melbourne City coach Rado Vidosic has predicted Mathew Leckie will dominate Saturday night’s A-League grand final and rated the Socceroos star as one of the best players he has mentored.

In an open warning to the Central Coast Mariners ahead of the title decider at CommBank Stadium, Vidosic said attacking weapon Leckie was “back to his best” after being sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old winger returned to action in mid-April following a lay-off of almost two months and has worked his way into form.

“When you lose eight or nine weeks in the season, it’s hard even for him (Leckie) to get back and perform straight away, but he’s back to his best right now,” Vidosic said.

“We’re going to see the best of Mathew Leckie on Saturday and I can’t wait for the game to start.”

Mathew Leckie has hit top form ahead of the A-League grand final. Picture: Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Vidosic has coached some of the A-League’s greatest players, including Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha, and he rates Leckie – who spent a decade in Germany before returning to Australia in 2021 – in that company.

“I’ve worked with a lot of good quality players and he’s one of the best that I’ve worked with,” the veteran coach said.

“He’s such a humble guy and a hard worker. Sometimes he does the dirtiest work out of everyone.

“Someone who played 10 years in the (German) Bundesliga probably wouldn’t need to do that in training sessions, but that’s him.

“He’s just an unbelievable leader on the field with his behaviour and with his actions.

“He’s quiet when it comes to talking on the field, but he’s very good with younger players. He’s always giving them feedback.”

Leckie will form part of a lethal City attacking arsenal that will also include fellow Socceroos Jamie Maclaren, Marco Tilio and Andrew Nabbout.

Vidosic has given the quartet, and the rest of his City squad, more freedom to express themselves since taking over as coach from Patrick Kisnorbo in November.

“We changed a few things with the way we worked at training,” Vidosic said.

“Training became shorter but more intensive. There’s a little bit less on team tactics but more on individual behaviours.”

Initially appointed in a caretaker capacity, Vidosic was given the job on a permanent basis in February.

Leading City to a premiership-championship double would complete a memorable turnaround for Vidosic after he was axed as Brisbane Roar’s head coach after just 11 games in charge in 2012.

“Unless you are (Manchester City manager) Pep Guardiola, you will get sacked. It’s just the way that this magic roundabout goes,” he said.

“A couple of bad results doesn’t mean that you’re a bad coach, and a couple of good results doesn’t mean that you’re a good coach.”

City Football Group managing director of global football Brian Marwood is among Vidosic’s biggest fans.

“Rado is a great man,” Marwood said. “He is genuine, has deep care for his players and his football knowledge is superb. He has been part of our organisation for several years in a few different roles and we’re delighted to have him.”