It is one of Graham Arnold’s favourite old lines – but still a goodie.
‘He’s the Minister of Defence in Australia,’ boomed the Socceroos‘ boss, glancing at the big unit sitting next to him at Wembley Stadium.
On the day he had aimed both barrels at politicians he perceives to be fair-weather friends of Australian football, Arnold made it quite clear Harry Souttar really is someone you can rely on.
It’s been a testing few months for the Leicester centre back, with his club relegated to the second-tier Championship in England and then his own relegation to the sidelines as the team were revived under new boss Enzo Maresca.
But while he made a welcome start against his old club Stoke last weekend, Souttar, who has had just those 85 minutes of action in the Championship all season, has never been anything but a must-start for his adopted national team.
Socceroos star Harry Souttar is tipped to be a busy man in the heart of defence when Australia take on England at Wembley
Souttar could be tasked with trying to contain England skipper Harry Kane (pictured)
‘A hundred per cent,’ declared Arnold, when asked whether the 24-year-old remained an inspiration to his teammates.
‘And when he decided to come and play for Australia with the Olympic team, it was a great moment for myself and for Australian football,’ said the coach, reflecting on how the Scot with an Aussie mum chose to wear the green and gold in 2019.
‘The Minister of Defence’ is certainly going to be questioned severely in the Socceroos’ glamour friendly against England (Saturday, 5.45am AEST) at Wembley, even if he’s not sure against whom he will be defending.
He could, possibly, be trying to stop another Harry as captain Kane searches for the goal to equal Bobby Charlton’s Wembley record of 23 for England.
But, more likely, he will be asked to handle a couple of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, as England experiment with their XI before next week’s Euro qualifier against Italy.
Either way, Souttar feels buoyed by the faith being shown in him – and it’s a night that could relaunch a career that’s spluttered since his World Cup heroics in Qatar and an early impressive spell after his move to Leicester.
Souttar had the tournament of his life when representing Australia at the World Cup in Qatar last year (pictured, marking Julian Alvarez of Argentina)
‘You could say that,’ mused Souttar, when asked if this was a high-profile opportunity to remind people of his talent.
‘But there’s only two people that I need to let know that I’m here – obviously this man here (pointing to Arnold) and my club manager – they’re the ones who are going to pick me so I’m just going to do my job as best I can.
‘It’s been an up and down season for me personally. Obviously I’ve not been playing as as much as I’d like but the manager (Maresca) has made it clear to the group that everyone is needed.
‘That’s all I can do – be ready when called upon.’
Australia will need the Minister to be ready and at his towering best on their debut beneath the Wembley arch.
