Defender Josh Risdon has emphasised the growing confidence in the Perth Glory ranks by talking up the team’s chances of improving on their current position on the A-League table.

After a worrying run earlier in the campaign, Glory have climbed to fourth place on the back of a club record eight-game unbeaten streak that has lifted them to within two points of second-placed Wellington Phoenix.

Risdon, who this week re-signed with the club for another two years, believes the team can challenge for a top-two position.

“We’re doing really well at the moment and if we keep playing the way we are I think we can keep pushing to the top two by the end of the year and hopefully do well in the finals,” said Risdon, before flying out with the squad for tomorrow’s clash with Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The 19-year-old, who has been a regular in the right-back position in the absence of injured incumbent Scott Neville, has been tipped by coach Ian Ferguson to achieve big things, assuming he can first achieve consistency in the A-League.

“He’s a young kid learning his trade and the games that he’s come in and played, he’s been outstanding,” Ferguson said. “He gets up and down the park, he’s good in the tackle, he’s strong (and has) good distribution, so he’s a fantastic prospect for the club.”

Despite his optimism about Risdon’s future, Ferguson warned against expecting too much from the teenager. The coach stressed the importance of young Australian players establishing themselves in the A-League before seeking greater opportunities overseas.

“They’ve got to make sure they’re doing well in this league if they want to go on to the bigger level,” he said. “If they are dominating here, which some of them do, and some of them are having good seasons, they’ve got to do that consistently. (Risdon’s) the same.”

Bunbury-born Risdon, who came through the highly successful National Training Centre program before joining Glory’s youth team, said his ambition was to climb to greater heights.

“My dream is always to play overseas so once I get a bit older I would like to look overseas,” he said. “(Firstly) I want to make my name in the A-League and just get a few seasons under my belt over here.”

Risdon is expected to take his place against Sydney in a line-up unchanged after last weekend’s 4-0 mauling of Gold Coast United.