With the words and wisdom of skipper Kevin Muscat ringing in his ear, up-and-coming Melbourne Victory defender Sebastian Ryall plans another year of progress.
With the words and wisdom of skipper Kevin Muscat ringing in his ear, up-and-coming Melbourne Victory defender Sebastian Ryall plans another year of progress.
The 19-year-old made his first start of this Hyundai A-League campaign in the resolute 1-0 win over arch-rival Adelaide last round.
His cool, calm performance standing in for the injured Michael Thwaite won praise all round, but the Australia under-20s skipper is not getting carried away; starting-XI places this season are not gifted but fought furiously for.
“We’re doing so well. It’s hard to crack into the first team so it was good to break into the first team,” Ryall said.
“I really enjoyed getting out there (against Adelaide).”
And alongside the likes of Muscat and Rody Vargas, every minute he spends on the park is an education.
“They make life so much easier, especially with Kevin,” Ryall explained.
“He is always talking in my ear and that makes my job a lot easier.”
“I have learnt a lot from Kevin in the year I have been here now.”
“It helps so much to have an experienced player to have alongside you.”
Since shifting from Sydney, where he played his junior football with Northern Spirit, the wiry 180cm Ryall has bunked up with team-mates Nathan Elasi and Mitchell Langerak.
He is enjoying life under Ernie Merrick but does harbour ambitions to make a name for himself abroad.
“I am not rushing to go overseas just yet,” Ryall said.
“Hopefully one day I would like to go over there and give it a go.”
“I am just trying to improve every session and take it week by week.”
“The main thing is to improve as a young player, improvement is what I am after.”
Muscat has seen enough in Ryall to believe he’ll make it, wherever he goes.
“We’re blessed in that department (defence). Sebastian Ryall is an outstanding young talent,” the captain said.
“He stepped in and it was like he had played every game this season for us.”
