Jack Hudson
GAWLER’s Riley McGree has made history after his debut with the Australian national football side against Kuwait late last week.
The 22-year-old, who plays for Birmingham City in England’s Championship division, started as a substitute before coming on in the 83rd minute in the World Cup qualifier, becoming the first Gawler Eagle to represent the Socceroos.
Speaking to media after the 3-0 victory, McGree said he was ecstatic to finally pull on the green and gold.
“It was a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s a massive honour for me and my family and it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.
“I’ll be grateful and fortunate for every opportunity I get, even if it was only eight minutes, but I’m hungry for more.
“It’s a massive honour. It’s where I grew up as a kid – Gawler is the town I’m from.
“It’s good to be the first Gawler Eagle and good for the state of South Australia to have so many boys in camp as well.”
McGree is not the only South Australian in the side, with former Adelaide United stars Mathew Leckie and Awer Mabil also involved.
The midfielder said it was good to touch base with former teammates.
“It’s good to reconnect; these players I haven’t seen in a while, but you have some common ground to relate back to you,” McGree said.
He was initially selected to be a part of the Socceroos’ camp in 2017 after an impressive debut season, but did not get time on the field.
Since then, he moved to Belgium for a stint with Club Brugge before returning to Australia to play for the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City.
After a second tenure with the Reds, McGree signed with MLS expansion side Charlotte FC in the US and was sent on loan to Birmingham City.
Despite some time between Socceroos’ call-ups, McGree believes he has grown plenty in that time.
“I feel a lot more comfortable on this camp – I’m a bit more mature and not so young and shy,” he said.
“I’m still kind of settling in.”
The Socceroos also defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1on Tuesday morning in another World Cup qualifier, with McGree securing his first start, assisting in two goals.
The Socceroos will take on Nepal on Saturday morning and Jordan on Wednesday week.