Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Not many footballers can say they celebrated their 19th birthday by playing in an English Premier League game, but that’s poised to happen this weekend for Socceroos sensation Lucas Herrington.
Herrington’s meteoric rise from schoolboy A-League prodigy to EPL player – including a FIFA World Cup along the way – has captured the imagination of the Australian sporting public.
It’s a journey that promises so much more, but the respectful youngster is doing his best not to get ahead of himself and instead focus on his task of playing regular football with his new club Hull City.
“It’s just about being patient and just taking every opportunity that comes to me,” Herrington said.
“There’s great depth in the squad, so it’s positive competition to be having for these spots.”
The talented central defender has made a great start to life at the Tigers, making his maiden Premier League appearance against the world famous Manchester United, with the icing on the cake being Hull securing a 2-0 upset home win.
“I was just very grateful to be given the opportunity to step on to the field, especially against a team like Man United for my Premier League debut,” Herrington said.
More wins have followed, and Herrington is hopeful his birthday gifts will include another victory when the Tigers host Aston Villa on Sunday morning (AEST).
“We’re a confident group, so it’s just about continuing to do what we’ve been doing and just really enjoying it,” he said.
“Playing in front of the home fans is very special. They get around us very well, so it’s just about us trying to make them happy, make them enjoy the game, and it’s another great chance for us to grab three points.”
Fan favourite
Herrington has quickly bonded with Tigers supporters since his $33m move from American Major Soccer League club Colorado Rapids.
“The fans here are very passionate. They live and breathe football, which is a great thing for me to experience at this age,” he said.
“There are a couple photos and a couple of conversations every time I go out. I enjoy speaking to the fans, I enjoy engaging with them.
“You want the fans’ backing and the fans’ support, so whenever I see them out in public or after a game, it’s very special. I love interacting with them, so the more they come up to me, the better.”
Herrington’s affable nature comes from his upbringing in Brisbane.
“My parents have always instilled that factor of humility in my life and just having that humbleness to stay grounded and to keep working hard,” he said.
“I’ve got a lot to work on, a lot to improve on, so I just remember that every day. I’m always trying to get better.
“I’m not the finished product.”
High praise
While admitting he has still has things to work on, Herrington has already earnt rare praise.
When he was 17, his then-coach at Brisbane Roar, Ruben Zadkovich, called him “the best defender in Australian football”.
Herrington’s current coach, Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic, has described the young Queenslander as “a great person” and “ a leader” and said he was already playing “like he has 100 games in the Premier League”.
“He’s a great manager that’s done great things for this club, getting them promoted,” Herrington said of Jakirovic.
“He’s a top character and just a coach that wants the best for his players.”
And then there was the glowing appraisal Herrington received from football great Zlatan Ibrahimovic for having the courage to take a spot kick in Australia’s penalty shootout loss to Egypt at the World Cup.
Ibrahimovic has since called the young gun to further encourage him.
“He just said don’t fear anyone, that I’m here for a reason … and just enjoy it really because it’s a great experience to play in the Premier League,” Herrington said.
“I’ve noticed that so far and I just can’t wait for more of the season to come.”
Brisbane bonus
Herrington is also looking forward to hopefully getting the chance to represent Australia in his home city when the Socceroos host Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on September 29.
“It would be a dream come true to play for the Socceroos in Brisbane. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and to play in front of hopefully a packed-out Suncorp and in front of my family and friends would be awesome,” he said.
Herrington said representing the Socceroos at the World Cup would “live with” him “forever” and was part of a “crazy trajectory” he had dreamt about since childhood.
“I’m just very grateful to the coaches that have given me the opportunity, and that includes the boss of the national team (coach Tony Popovic) for giving me that opportunity to play at the World Cup at such a young age,” he said.
“Every coach that’s helped me along the way at club level, it’s all meant so much to me.”
Young talent time
Herrington has no doubt that the A-League is a great breeding ground for other youngsters to achieve similar success to him and other Socceroos playing overseas, including the likes of Nestory Irankunda (Sporting CP, Portugal), Mohamed Toure (Norwich City, England) and Patrick Beach (Troyes, France).
“It was great learning for me to play against men at such a young age … and a lot of the Socceroos have come through A-League academies, so there’s no doubt about the quality,” he said.
“It’s just continuing to back those young players and give them opportunities because you can see the talent is clearly there.
“The more opportunities that young players can get, the better the national team will be. It’s just about that pathway and those players working hard to be the best players they can be.
“It’s about them having the right mindset and the right mentality because the A-League’s a great league. I loved playing in it.”
