A-League: Young City star Rammy Najjarine happy to start slow

Melbourne City youngster Ramy Najjarine says he’s in no rush to emulate the feats of his great friend Daniel Arzani.

City’s Ramy Najjarine, left, takes on Adelaide’s Scott Galloway

Melbourne City youngster Ramy Najjarine says he’s in no rush to emulate the feats of his great friend Daniel Arzani.

Najjarine, seen by many as a more exciting prospect than the ex-City winger, is instead happy at a slower pace.

He got his biggest taste of A-League football last week, used by coach Warren Joyce as a substitute when marquee Ritchie de Laet was injured after 23 minutes against Adelaide.

The bright showing has the 18-year-old winger in line for a first taste of the Melbourne derby on Saturday night.

It was around the turn of the year that Arzani began his run from obscurity to Australia’s World Cup squad, a rise Najjarine applauded.

But the Sydney-born forward said his goal for this season was “just getting on the park”.

“I’m very happy for (Arzani). He’s one of my closest mates and very happy to see what he’s done and I think he’s got more in him,” he said.

“I hadn’t made my debut until earlier this year. I think there’s a lot more in me too and I want to make an impact. I thank Warren for trusting me (against Adelaide).”

Joyce was eager to play Najjarine last season, only for the teenager to require a shoulder reconstruction which ruled him out of the entire campaign.

While Arzani flourished in his absence, winning the young player of the year award and working his way into the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, Najjarine bided his time.

He would have debuted in the round one derby, except Najjarine was again away with a junior international squad.

Unleashed against Adelaide, Najjarine’s talent was clear from the get-go, challenging his markers and making the effort to get back in defence. It’s likely that Joyce — whose commitment to playing young talent is unmatched in the A-League — will throw Najjarine into the mix against Victory. He won’t be making up the numbers.

With Bruno Fornaroli on the outer, City are reliant on young, fresh talent such as Najjarine, Lachie Wales and Riley McGree to deny Victory a sixth-straight win.

“I’m ready,” Najjarine said. “I’m just buzzing. I really want to get out there.”

AAP