Craig Goodwin ready to put career back on rails with Adelaide United

Craig Goodwin could not be blamed if he had allowed bitterness and disillusionment to swallow him.

Adelaide United’s Craig Goodwin believes he has returned from a disappointing stint in Europe a more mature player. Picture: Getty Images

Craig Goodwin could not be blamed if he had allowed bitterness and disillusionment to swallow him.

It would have been a natural reaction to sink into a dark place after he watched helplessly as his European career disappeared, as well as any chance of being part of the Socceroos squad at the World Cup finals in Russia last June.

After a successful season and a half in the Eredivisie, a change in coach at his Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam midway through the season signalled a massive shift in fortunes for the immensely talented South Australian.

A regular starter who played 27 games and scored four goals in the 2016-17 season after leaving Adelaide United to join Sparta, Goodwin was on track for another quality season.

He was a regular for the first 18 games of the season before Dick Advocaat took the coaching reins late last year.

For reasons that remain unknown, the Dutchman didn’t take to the young Aussie and all but banished him.

Even though he was left to fill unaccustomed roles for the non-starting XI at training, Goodwin, who has had to battle against the odds for most of his career to prove himself, never gave up.

It has never been in the make-up of this remarkably resolute and determined young man to lay down and give up.

He worked his backside off to make an impression with Advocaat but, no matter how hard he tried, it was obvious there was no way back in.

Despite still having another year on his contract with Sparta, the 26-year-old forward is back in his home town.

And he is looking forward to revitalising his career with Adelaide United in the A-League this season.

“For sure, it was mentally very challenging and when you are there without your family then it makes it even more so,” Goodwin told The Australian. “It did play on my mind and was frustrating especially as it hurt my chances of being at the World Cup.

“I was lucky in that I had a good support staff off the field with friends in and away from the team.

“I dealt with it. I am no different to any young footballer trying to make a go of a career in Europe. You are going to have your ups and downs.

“Once I couldn’t change things (with the coach) I just got on with it and continued to work hard.”

Goodwin says he has no regrets, even if the tough period also cost him the chance to play at the World Cup.

“I had a good period and the only reason it went bit sour is because of the change of coach,” he said. “But there are no regrets.

“I have become a better player, more mature on and off the field.

“It has given me more ambition to strive for bigger and better things. I just want to do well with Adelaide United and force my way back into the reckoning for the Socceroos and the Asian Cup.”

Goodwin is happy to be back home, closer to family and friends.

“For sure, being back home makes it easier to fit in and go about my business,” he said.

“I have got my own place in Mawson Lakes, close to my family, close to training and close to the beach. It will bring out the best in my football.

“Being back at Adelaide United is great as well.

“There’s new faces and a new coach. There’s a fantastic atmosphere here.

“(Coach) Marco (Kurtz) and I are on the same wavelength. We have a good relationship. He knows what he wants and is very clear in his message to the team.

“He really wears his heart on his sleeve.”