Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello ’ahead’ of Mariners rival in battle for Socceroos jersey

Wanderers star Brandon Borrello has made the most of his chance to play as a centre-forward for the Socceroos.

Brandon Borrello celebrates after scoring for the Socceroos at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Western Sydney mentor Marko Rudan has lauded Brandon Borrello’s Socceroos return, saying the Wanderers forward had overtaken Central Coast Mariners marksman Jason Cummings in the pecking order of strikers available to national coach Graham Arnold.

Left out of Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad, Borrello was recalled for this month’s two-game series against Ecuador.

Scotland-born Cummings was part of Australia’s World Cup squad and came off the bench in Australia’s 4-1 loss to France.

Cummings was also in the squad for the series against Ecuador, but was only used in the second game – the South American nation’s 2-1 win in Melbourne on Tuesday night – as a second-half substitute.

In contrast, Borrello played in both games, started in the second match and scored Australia’s only goal – which was also his first goal for the Socceroos – at Marvel Stadium.

“To see him get a nod ahead of another very good striker in Jason Cummings tells you just how far he’s come,” Wanderers coach Rudan said of Borrello.

“Jason went to the World Cup as a striker, played (a game) in the World Cup as a striker, yet Brandon has gotten himself ahead of him.

“That’s great for him.”

Brandon Borrello was a hit with fans at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Borrello. better known as a winger, was used as a centre-forward by Arnold after showing form in the central striking role for the Wanderers this season.

“I’m really proud of him. To see him play as a striker as opposed to a right winger for the national team, it gives us a lot of joy and a lot of pride as well because we’ve worked hard in moving him from that (wing) position into a central position,” Rudan said.

“The angles are different, the runs are different, (and) receiving the ball is always different as well from being a winger to a striker.

“He’s taken to that like a duck to water really, and his great form has given him the opportunity to play (for Australia), and not just play, he started and scored.

“It was a really proud moment I’m sure for him but also for us (Wanderers) coaching staff and everybody involved at the football club, the players as well, and I’m sure our fans will be proud of him.”

Rudan said Borrello had “recovered really well” ahead of Friday’s night highly anticipated clash between the Wanderers and Adelaide United at CommBank Stadium.

Second-placed Adelaide is three points ahead of the Wanderers on the A-League ladder.

“They’re above us on the table and we certainly want to do whatever we can to win the game, particularly at home,” Rudan said.

“We’re very strong at home and ... we’re in a very good place as a team.”