Picking a Scotsman for Socceroos is hardly a new direction

Martin Boyle had never even been to Australia before joining the Socceroos. But we’ve been selecting foreign players for decades.

Martin Boyle was born in Scotland, had never set foot in Australia until this week and is almost certain to make his debut for the Socceroos against South Korea in a friendly in Brisbane on Saturday night.

So it would be more than understandable if that scenario raised a few eyebrows for those not familiar with the games’s history in Australia.

Stretching back to the 1950s, the national team has never been afraid to draw on players born in other countries having started their senior careers in overseas leagues.

It’s a very long list and was probably never more evident then with the iconic 1974 Socceroos with the likes of captain Peter Wilson and Ray Richards (English), Jack Reilly (Scottish) and Doug Utjesenovic (Serbian), who all played at a decent standard before pursuing their careers here. It continued into the 1980s and ’90s with the likes of Zarko Odzakov (Macedonian) and Milan Ivanovic (Serbian).

It has not been as prevalent in the 2000s as the Socceroos Golden Generation captured the imagination of the sporting public.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s decision to select Boyle should not come as a surprise, though the circumstances are somewhat different.

While the likes of Wilson, Richards and Ivanovic at least forged a new career in Australia, playing in the state leagues and the National Soccer League (now the A-League), Boyle has played all his football in Scotland.

It is doubtful he would have even been aware of the A-League until Jamie Maclaren and Mark Milligan linked with his SPL side and Arnold came calling.

The 25-year-old qualifies for Australia because his father Graeme was born in Sydney and lived here for a number of years before moving to Scotland.

“I was playing in the Scottish third division years ago and to climb to this situation, it is quite unimaginable,” Boyle said yesterday.

“If you’d asked me a few years ago if this opportunity would ever happen, from the position I was in or where I was, I’d probably have laughed at you.

“I’m so honoured. I hugged my dad the other day and we shed a few tears. He would have loved to have come to see me play but he has work commitments. Still, I am determined to make him proud.”

So what about the national anthem. Will he sing it?

When Boyle, who only received his Australian passport last week, spoke to the media during a camp in Dubai last month he told reporters: “I’m currently in the progress of learning it. If you can give me a few more weeks, I’ll give you a rendition of it.”

He will be true to his word on Saturday night.

“I have committed it to memory and I have it covered,” he added.

A pacy winger with skill and the ability to score goals, Boyle will add an extra dimension to the Australian attack. He likes nothing better than being given a bit of room to move and taking on and beating his man.

Boyle is looking forward to playing alongside Maclaren. The two have formed a great friendship, even if Boyle is sceptical of some of the things the striker tells him.

Boyle will get his first look at Suncorp Stadium today, though he says McLaren has already been talking up the venue.

“He’s saying he’s got a statue outside it. He’s giving it the big one,” Boyle said.

“It’ll be great to see it (the stadium) for myself and ideally make an impression.”

Additional reporting: AAP