Western Sydney Wanderers signing Ryan Griffiths promises goals

Cruel taunts are water off a ducks back for new Western Sydney signing Ryan Griffiths.

Western Sydney have signed Ryan Griffiths from Hong Kong where he has been playing for the South China club. Picture: Twitter.

Some Wanderers fans have likened him to “no more than an a 35s masters player” and some suggest he would be lucky to make one of the state-based National Premier League teams here.

But the cruel taunts are water off a duck’s back for Western Sydney signing Ryan Griffiths, who is set for his fourth stint in the A-League after answering an SOS from Wanderers coach Tony ­Popovic.

Desperate to shore up his ­attacking options, Popovic has turned to the 35-year-old journeyman, plucking him from the Hong Kong league where he spent the season with South China, scoring four times in 14 appearances.

But it has been met with scorn by the rabid Wanderers fans, who have railed against ­Popovic’s decision via social media. Having missed out on the likes of former Arsenal attacker Eduardo, Robbie Keane, James Troisi and Scott McDonald, they say they can’t comprehend that the club has now turned to Griffiths.

Griffiths understands the criticism is the nature of the beast that is football and is ready and determined to win the fans over. All he asks is that he is judged by what he does on the field.

“A lot of people do criticise older players and also they criticise players when they haven’t seen what they have done recently. They don’t do their research,” Griffiths said yesterday after being unveiled as the newest member of the Wanderers squad.

“They are quick to jump on anything, but I respect everybody’s opinion. I guess the only way to judge is by seeing what I do on the field. There is always pressure to do well no matter where you play. It’s about mental strength and it is the one thing you learn to deal with as a professional player.

“You learn to deal with getting hammered from all angles, from the media, the fans. In Asia you have fans turning up to training and calling you all sorts of names. You just stand there and wonder ‘what the …’. But until they see you play and show your work ethic then that is the only time they start to respect you.”

Griffiths, the younger brother of former A-League stars Joel and Adam, promises fans he will deliver goals and that he will leave every last bit of himself on the field.

“I was speaking to Brendon (Santalab) in the change rooms and he asked why did I come back. It’s simple. It’s a challenge,” Griffiths said. “I never want to stop having a go. This is a new challenge for me. Everyone is bagging me about my age, but I feel good and that’s the main thing.

“I’m going to run 100 per cent, go for every challenge until I fall over and they have to drag me off.

“As for scoring goals ... definitely there will be goals. It’s the one thing I love to do and that’s why I play.”