GUN gloveman Mathew Ryan has returned to the Central Coast Mariners still pinching himself about his recent opportunity to train with Barclays Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion.
Mathew Ryan
GUN gloveman Mathew Ryan has returned to the Central Coast Mariners still pinching himself about his recent opportunity to train with Barclays Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion.
Ryan flew into Sydney earlier this week and spoke today of his experiences amongst some of the world-s elite players.
“I-m pinching myself here,” Ryan said. “Two years ago I was playing at Blacktown City before I got my chance here [at the Mariners].
“If you-d have told me two years ago that I-d be going over to Tottenham and West Brom to experience those Clubs, I don-t think I-d have believed you,” he said.
Ryan said that walking into Hotspur Way – Tottenham-s new London-based training complex – was an insight into the professionalism and standards required to compete at the highest level of the game.
“As soon as you walk in they-ve got trophy cabinets and photos on the wall of past and present players that have been successful. You notice the professionalism of everything there. It was good to experience.”
Ryan also detailed his delight in training with players of true international standard during his spell with ‘Spurs. Indeed, Dutch creative Rafael van der Vaart and Welsh flyer Gareth Bale were two players that took his eye.
“I trained with the whole firs team,” he said. “Player like Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart were definitely two players that I loved sitting behind when they were on my team. I enjoyed just watching them do what they do.”
“The attributes that they have are just freakish. The calmness van der Vaart has on the ball, you-ve got to see it to believe it.”
Ryan added that while he didn-t get much of a chance to speak on an in-depth level with many of his fellow professionals, Tottenham defender Michael Dawson took time to welcome him to the Club.
Dawson is close mates with former Mariners defender Chris Doig, and was aware of Ryan-s trial with the men from White Hart Lane before his arrival in early August.
