Football

World Cup 2022: Australia midfielder has ‘renewed confidence’ thanks to new club manager

World Cup 2022: Australia midfielder has ‘renewed confidence’ thanks to new club manager

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has been praised for bringing about a ‘renewed confidence’ in Australia midfielder Riley McGree.

Carrick was appointed Boro boss this time last month, in what is his first permanent managerial position since retiring from football in 2018.

But former Boro defender Steve Vickers is already seeing signs of Carrick having an impact, particularly on McGree, as reported by The Northern Echo.

McGree was one of six midfielders called up by Australia manager Graham Arnold for the 2022 World Cup.

There were plenty of doubts surrounding the Boro midfielder’s potential place in the squad, but McGree has impressed in recent weeks, and Vickers believes Carrick has been key to his upturn in form.

Australia midfielder has ‘renewed confidence’ under Carrick

McGree was being chased by a handful of clubs in January 2022, but it was Championship outfit Middlesbrough who secured his signature.

The Australia attacker was a regular at the beginning of the current campaign, but found himself largely watching on from the bench in October. But McGree is now back in favour at his club, starting Boro’s last five matches before the break.

The attacking midfielder scored his third goal of the season in the final match against Norwich.

“The World Cup is a great stage to be on to show what you can do – not so much as a team but as an individual as well,” said Vickers.

“If you can match yourself up against some of the best players in the world, then you’re doing yourself no harm whatsoever.

“McGree looks a good prospect – I think that’s what he is at the moment. I think he took a little time to settle in and I think, when he came, they were looking to use him as a connection between defence and attack. I think he did struggle a little bit.

“But now he looks like he has some renewed confidence under Michael Carrick. Obviously, the goal he scored at Norwich just showed that really.

“He looks like quite a dynamic, mobile midfielder and that’s what Boro need, alongside someone like Jonny Howson who has the experience and will sit in there. You need someone with young legs who is going to get forward and get back, and I think that’s what McGree does.’’

Australia

McGree in form ahead of Australia World Cup opener

The aforementioned goal against Norwich simply stunned Carrow Road, with McGree latching onto a knockdown from a teammate before unleashing a superb scissor kick into the top corner.

His phenomenal strike levelled the scores at 1-1, with the visitors then scoring in added time to win the game 2-1. Vickers was a huge fan of the wonder goal, saying: “It was very Paolo Di Canio! It was a great finish and a great result for Boro.’’

McGree has previously caught the eye with a fantastic goal, with the attacker nominated for the 2018 Puskas Award for his stunning scorpion kick goal for Newcastle Jets in the A-League.

Australia have been handed a hugely difficult test at the 2022 World Cup, with their opening game coming against defending champions France this evening.

They then take on Tunisia and Denmark in their other Group D matches.


Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!