Socceroos bolter Jason Davidson can carve out a long international career, according to the man who knows him best – his Socceroos legend dad, Alan.
Davidson, who made 79 appearances for his country between 1980 and 1991 and was recently selected at right-back in the Greatest Ever Australia Football team, says the ex-Australia youth international – a bold inclusion in Holger Osieck’s 20-man squad for next week’s friendly against Scotland – is a better player than he was and is ready for the step up.
A left-back, who has been operating as a left stopper for Dutch club Heracles Almedo since his arrival last January, Davidson will be watched by Osieck in the flesh when the club begins the Eredivisie season against VVV Venlo this weekend.
If he produces the sort of performance that saw him break into the starting line-up during the last two months of the 2011-2012 season, then he could be in line for some meaningful game time in the international against Scotland Edinburgh next week.
"Holger is going to have a look at him and if he does well, then who knows. Hopefully he'll get a look-in against the Scots at some stage," Davidson said.
"The truth is he's technically a better player than I was. He can play anywhere at the back and he started out his career as a striker.
"It was when he was playing youth football in Japan that I suggested he convert to a left-back to give himself a better chance of making a career in the game."
Davidson, 21, has been earmarked as competition to David Carney in the problematic left-back spot for Australia.
"For Heracles, he's played right across the back four at various times and also as a holding midfielder," South Melbourne and Melbourne Kinghts great Davidson explained.
"Versatility isn't a problem for him. He hasn't played left-back for a while but is excited by the chance to operate there for his country.
"His strength is going forward. He has a good first touch and is technically stronger than I was."
The prospect of Jason being part of a father-son Socceroos dynasty fills Alan with pride.
"I am happy to hand on the baton to him. It's up to him now but he has the game to go on make a career for himself with the national team," Davidson said.
"He just can't wait to get into camp and play. He's told me he's feeling no nerves."
Davidson, who was a part of the Australian team that finished runner up at AFC U-19 Championship three years back, became the youngest player ever registered in Portugal's Liga Sagres when he made his debut as a substitute for Pacos de Ferreira in 2010.
With injuries playing a part, he only made five appearances before being loaned out to second tier Sporting Covilha.
His career looked to be back on an upward trajectory when he was offered a contract by Germany's Borussia Monchengladbach early in the new year, after training with the club for close to three months.
But he opted to accept the Heracles approach instead in the hope of regular first team football.
"He started off well in Portugal but made a few mistakes along the way and fell out with the coach," Davidson explained.
"He wasn't playing and after he was loaned out to the second division club the chance came to join Borussia or go to Holland.
"He's still young and I see no reason why he can't make an impression at senior international level. He's ready and he's geared up for it. It's up to him now."
Chip of the old Socceroo BlocK
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Re: Chip of the old Socceroo BlocK
Good to see this squad if finally one step in the right direction. Lets hope he sees game time.
