RHYAN Grant had his efforts for a stellar season with Sydney FC rewarded on Monday by being named in the 30-man Socceroos squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
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Given a right-side defensive role, the former Bathurst Sportsperson of the Year played an integral role in helping Sydney FC to the most dominant season in A-League history.
It lost just one game on the way to winning both the premiers’ plate and the A-League grand final.
But before thinking about wearing national colours for the first time at a senior level, first Grant will be thinking red.
On Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium, Grant and his Sydney FC team-mates will take on English Premier League giants Liverpool in an exhibition match.
While Grant ranks amongst the legion of Australian-based Reds fans, he is keen to add one more scalp to Sydney FC’s tally.
“Obviously it was a very successful season for us, but playing against Liverpool will be massive,” he said.
“It’s going to be a massive crowd and such a big club in Europe and personally my favourite team too, so it will not only be good for me, but the boys are pretty pumped.
“We’ll put our best foot forward and hopefully give them a good run for their money.”
It will not be the first time Grant has faced an EPL team, having taken on Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the past. The Socceroos squad will be trimmed to 23 ahead of the qualifier against Saudi Arabia to be played at Adelaide Oval on June 8.
