Special thanks have to go to Maureen Robertson in Sydney Australia, for assisting in the setting up with what I hope you will all see as a very frank and honest view, from one of Dundee’s current squad members.
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As for the game slowing down, I think that’s happening at the moment anyway from what I remember watching on the Television. I think the increasing influence of foreign players is helping to contribute to this.
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When I played for Wollongong Wolves we reached the Australian Grand Final and I came on in the second half when 3-0 down, I believe I was a major contributor in turning that game around. We finally got back to 3-3. The game then went to Extra time and penalties and we won 18-17 I think on penalties. Stuart Beadie (Ex-Dundee) was the assistant Manager of Wollongong if you win the Grand Final in Australia you are regarded as the best Team in Australia.
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My favourite goal would have to be the one I scored for Burnley.
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Steve has a great eye for goal and will certainly be a tremendous player, as he gets stronger. If anything he may have to get tougher as he’s too much a nice guy.
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I play snooker and do a lot of gym work, Swimming, Tennis, in Australia you’re brought up playing most sports.
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My little sister (Stephanie) is the New South Wales Gymnastics Champion and is currently training for the Olympics and fingers crossed she makes it right through as she’s good at it and getting better all the time.
The only one that’s not really been sports minded, is my mum, she does like to watch all of us, but not take part.
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You can’t meet a nicer guy at the club; if he could do something for you he would he’d not let anyone down. I’m sure he’ll come back to being as good a player as he was, as he’s a very good player.
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This is an interview carried out by Robert Laird, Editor of “Boab’s little piece of Scotland” Website with Mark Robertson.
You started a game for the first time in a while against Celtic in the 4-0 defeat. What was it like playing against Celtic especially in that first half when Dundee played some exceptional Football?
Every time I play against Celtic it’s special that was the second time I’ve played against Celtic. No disrespect to the other Clubs but playing against Celtic and Rangers gives you a buzz. Saturday was no different, the result was disappointing, but these things happen in football.
Is there a big difference in the style of Football played in Australia from that in England and Scotland?
There’s a big difference, the game is a lot slower in Australia and more laid back.
England and Scotland the game is played a lot faster and harder. I like that as I think that’s one of the stronger parts of my game. I like to tackle and run at defenders. Though some of the tackles that happen in this country would never be allowed in Australia.
Being from a warmer country yourself, do you feel Summer Football would improve the standard of Football in this country? i.e. Slow the tempo of the game down.
It would improve the playing surfaces that’s for sure as playing on slushy pitches is not the best way to play football.
Did you feel you had to come to Britain to improve your game, or did you feel you’d be more likely to be spotted by your National Coach playing in the U.K.?
I personally wanted to come to this country, as when you’re younger that’s your ambition. I also thought the recognition would come with playing over here, I was one of the first ever players to come over, but now there are lots of Australians playing here.
What was your most memorable moment in football?
Straight off the top of my head I’ll always remember representing my Country. Also making my full debut for Dundee last Season in the 2-0 victory over Celtic was memorable.
What has been your worst moment in football?
Anytime I’m injured is a bad time, as it affects everyone around you, as you are frustrated at being laid up.
How did you first find out you had been selected for the Full Australian Squad?
I was lying in bed sleeping and my mobile rang at 1 O’clock in the morning. I was worried at first because I thought there was maybe something had happened in Australia. When I found it was the Australian Soccer Federation and after getting the good news I couldn’t sleep. Even the next morning I still had to ask Lucia my wife if I’d been dreaming.
Even though you got so close to home when playing against Japan, I believe the opportunity to visit your family never presented it self to you. Do you feel homesick at all?
I did a little in England as we never knew anyone, but coming to Scotland hasn’t been so bad, as I still have family that live in Edinburgh my Grandad and Uncles.
Do you believe coming to Dundee has assisted your International career, or were you already being watched whilst in England?
Without a doubt coming to Dundee has definitely helped my career, Dundee have been great and their profile has been raised back home as their games are now shown in Australia. My parents stay up late just to see me play usually around 2.am their time.
Who first suggested there was a possible move to Dundee on the cards and did you have to think about coming to play in Scotland?
My agent in London contacted me and I had no hesitation of coming to Scotland, I had family here and looked forward to playing for Dundee.
How many goals have you scored in your Professional career and who for?
I’ve scored a few goals in reserve matches but only two in full games. I've scored one for Burnley and one for Swindon.
What was your most memorable goal?
I don’t really look upon myself as a goal scorer that’s apart of my game I can improve on, but I take a lot of pleasure in creating goals and goal scoring chances.
You’ve played for Australia at almost every level; did you ever play along side Chris Coyne?
I’m older than Chris he played for the U-17’s when I was playing for the U-21’s. We did play in the U-23 Olympic squad together though.
Who would you say was your closest friend at the club?
Chris Coyne was before he moved on, his wife and my wives were best of friends also, and Gavin Rae and Jamie Langfield are also good friends of mine.
Will you miss Chris?
Yes, it was a surprise to us all his decision to leave, but that’s football.
Is there a particular joker in the Dundee squad at the moment?
That would have to be Jamie; he’s excellent at impressions. He just has to hear a voice once and can mimic it.
Are the training rituals any different from what you have experienced before?
Yes it’s a complete different style from what I was used to, I’d maybe play some 5 aside practice games, but Dundee do hill runs and speed work and work on power, there’s a lot of work in the gym. I believe it’s based on the Juventus training program, which won them the Serie A title.
Who do you admire the most football wise in the current Dundee squad?
That has to be Beto Carranza. To reach the level he did in playing for Argentina, such a large Country with its exceptional ability goes without saying. I just love the way he plays football. It’s a delight to watch.
Ivano appears to have a good sense of humour at the Press interviews as long as referees aren’t involved. Is he a joker during training?
Yes Ivano enjoys a joke with us, I’m sure he picks a lot of it off of us as his English is improving immensely from when he first arrived I believe.
Will you be taking any part of the “Sing along a Dee Choir” in aid of Dundee’s Youth Development Fund?
I wasn’t aware there was an event, I’ll certainly find out more about it, as I love helping out in any way.
Who do you think is Dundee’s most gifted youngster coming through?
That has to be Steven Milne I classify him as a youngster as he’s younger than me. :-)
Do the first team squad ever watch the youth teams?
Certainly all the Scottish lads go and watch when they can.
What is your own personal ambition in life?
I’d say I’m living my own personal ambition now, playing football at a very high level with a great family life.
What is your favoured playing position?
I’m naturally a right-sided player, but there are a few of us that can play in many different positions. You don’t just hold down one position, though there are the specialists, who will play only in the one position.
Which teams do you admire excluding Dundee of course?
I’d say teams without money, like Kilmarnock who have qualified for Europe quite frequently recently. These teams have managed it without being like Celtic or Rangers being able to buy a team to win leagues.
Do you play any other sports apart from football?
Yes, I play golf, I’m around about a 17 handicap, but capable of getting it down, I’m not actually a member of anywhere so don’t have an official handicap.
Are your family sports minded?
Yes definitely. My dad (Alex) was a professional sportsman, my brother (Sean) is a footballer also and played at amateur level back in Australia, but definitely football minded.
What would you want to be if you weren’t a footballer?
I wouldn’t mind being a Fireman I like helping people out. I was also good at woodwork so would have liked to have been a Carpenter, if the football thing hadn’t come about.
What are your favourite sports to watch?
I like watching Rugby, Golf, a lot of football. I don’t mind one day Cricket, but definitely not the Test 5 day stuff.
What are your favourite past-times away from football?
That has to be spending time with my wife (Lucia) and as of the past 11 months with my baby daughter (Taylor). I’ve always been a family man so, Bar-B-Q’s and picnics, I’m not really someone who does things on his own I like to be with someone.
In summary what’s your general opinion of Dundee?
Everything that’s going on at Dens is good, it’s good for the place, good for the people and obviously good for the footballer.
As a final note, is there any news on Javier?
Yes he’s coming back within the next ten days. We’re not sure when he’ll be back training, but obviously he’ll be taking things easily to start with and ease himself back in. I’ve talked with him a couple of times and it’s just a slow process.
Mark, thank you very much for the interview I hope this gives the fans a further insight into your own life and views about Scottish football.
Not a problem Bob, glad to give my views and it was a pleasure.