Harry Souttar is in red-hot form for Stoke City,and has attracted interest from English Premier League sides.Credit:Getty
Born and raised in Scotland but with an Australian mother,Souttar has emerged as one of the country’s most important players since being convinced by Arnold to wear the green and gold.
He will do so again in Friday morning’s (AEDT) clash with Oman in Qatar – one of two World Cup qualifying matches for the Socceroos in this international window. The second will come against Australia’s nemesis Japan on Tuesday night.
There are no Australian players in the EPL after Mat Ryan left Arsenal for Spanish club Real Sociedad,but Arnold is confident the towering Souttar will be the next.
“There were a few whispers just before we went to the Olympics about a few Premier League clubs[being interested],and he’s gone back to Stoke City,he’s doing exceptionally well,” Arnold said.
“He’s got a coach that trusts him enormously in Michael O’Neill but if you look at Harry,he’s probably one of the only players I had at the Olympics that had anywhere near matched all the other players that were at the Olympics for match minutes –[he was] on the field every week and playing.
“Harry’s got so much potential. He’s great to have around. He’s got such a great mentality and he’s such a great kid. It’s fantastic for Australia and for Harry if those type of things happen.”