After a successful pre-season trial, Matty Millar joined the Central Coast Mariners from NPL Victoria outfit South Melbourne FC. With two impressive starts under his belt, the ever-ready wing back is determined to put in the hard yards to keep his spot in the team.
CLICK HERE to watch Matt Millar’s press conference in full
With competition for places in Mike Mulvey’s squad, Millar would need to wait until Hyundai A-League Round 4 to earn his league debut in Yellow & Navy. The 22-year-old managed 20 minutes off the bench against Adelaide United, but it was his last two starts against Perth & Sydney that made Mariners’ fans stand up and take notice.
Deployed for ‘his engines’ as a right wing back, Millar played a hand in numerous Mariners attacks down the right flank in rounds five and six.
Rounding the Perth back four with his blistering pace and providing the assist against Sydney FC, Millar has been quickly earmarked as one to watch for the Mariners faithful.
Speaking to media after the team’s training session on Tuesday, Millar noted the belief amongst the squad and eagerness to claim that elusive first win this Friday against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Hasn't Matty Millar burst onto the scene! ?
Our marauding wing-back is making that right flank his own. #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/rweCpz58En
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 3, 2018
Stepping up from NPL to A-League…
“Yeah, I did it the hard way,” Millar said. “I was in the youth set up with Melbourne City and then had to take a step back and go back to NPL level and work really hard with South Melbourne and then putting in the work week in and week out.
“Then the opportunity came here, especially the last two games I’ve taken the opportunity and that’s the thing, I don’t want to give up my position. So, when each week comes I’m giving 100% and hopefully holding down that position.
Belief within the squad…
“We feel really good. We’ve got a lot of belief in the team and we put on a really good performance, I guess we just need to find that little final 10% to get us the win.
“The boys are really confident going out onto the park and putting in some really good performances. I think it’s only a matter of time before we get the win because we are playing really positive, aggressive and confident football, results will come. I’m really excited for the next couple of weeks
What needs to change, to claim three points…
“Mike keeps instilling in the boys, the key thing is belief. We are playing really good football, we’re training really hard and everyone is giving everything for the team so I think it’s about doing the same things but getting rid of those little mistakes that cost us the game or when we drop off, we need to keep pressing for 90 minutes.
“It’s a lot about doing the same things we’re doing and just improving on the little things we aren’t doing right.
Matt Millar is flying and the fans agree ?? You voted him as our @maccas Player of the Match. Congrats, Matty! ?? #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/8sDjtxNw6m
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 4, 2018
Competition for places within the squad…
“It’s a really competitive squad and you’ve really got to fight for your spot each week, that’s a really good thing to have in the club because all the boys are training really hard every week and trying to make sure they get their spot in the team.
“It does nothing but wonders for the team because every boy goes on the pitch and plays like they are fighting for their position which they are and it really helps with the team performance.
The elusive first win…
“We know the points haven’t been a real reflection of the games and whilst we haven’t had a win, we are really confident. We’ve had some really good performances over the last couple of weeks and we know it’s only a matter of time.
“We aren’t focusing on the ladder right now, we are just focusing on us and more importantly this Friday against the Wanderers which will be a big game and hopefully we can get our first win and kick start the season.
“A win would be a just reward because we’ve been doing well, we really took it to Sydney last week and then Perth the week before that. We are competitors this year in the league. A win is pretty fair for what we deserve, it’s not far off.
“It’s gonna be a massive game because the Wanderers are such a good team and well coached. Maybe they haven’t had the start they’d wanted so it’s gonna be a hot and fiery 10 to 15 minutes at the start but like I said we can really take it to them this weekend and get our first win.
We would like to say a huge thank you to our passionate supporters for creating a game day experience, like no other! ?☀️ #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/P2VngX6PQ7
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 3, 2018
Playing as a wing-back…
“Yeah I sat down with Mike Mulvey during preseason and he was really happy with my engines and found a good position in the wing back that lets me really get up and down the pitch and really use my attributes. So, credit to him for working with me and finding a position that fits me well,” Millar said.
Match Details
Friday, 7 December 2018
Hyundai A-League Round 7
Match: Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Central Coast Mariners
Venue: Spotless Stadium, Olympic Park
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEDT)
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #WSWvCCM & #CCMFC
