Sydney FC stalwart to reach 300-game milestone
Had he been “good enough” for a move overseas, Sydney FC stalwart Rhyan Grant doubts he would have become the first player to make 300 appearances for the Sky Blues.
However, Grant is anything but unhappy about his lengthy A-League stint with the Sydneysiders that started in 2008.
“I would have been happy with one game for Sydney FC so to be here 15 years later and 300 games in, it’s something special.” he said ahead of his triple century milestone on Saturday night against Western United at Allianz Stadium.
“It would have been great to experience a different culture or a different lifestyle, but in saying that, I’m very content with where I am and where I’ve stayed.”
The 32-year-old right-back admits there might have been the odd option to leave the Sky Blues for elsewhere but they didn’t eventuate.
“I’m in that weird mould where I’ve obviously been quite successful at Sydney but probably not good enough to go overseas,” Grant said.
“Nothing significant pulled me away from Sydney FC. It would have taken something special and that wasn’t to be.”
Sky Blues coach Steve Corica was full of praise for Grant’s attitude and commitment to his club’s cause.
“Rhyan truly embodies what it means to be a footballer and embraces every moment he plays whether that’s in a game or during a training session,” Corica said.
“He has been central to Sydney FC’s key moments over a good number of years and has given his all for this club.
“It’s fantastic that the club will recognise his loyalty to Sydney FC and I hope our fans turn out for him this Saturday night.”
Grant has extra motivation to play well this weekend after his side’s shocking last-start display, a 4-0 home loss to arch rivals Western Sydney.
“That’s probably been the biggest low I’ve had at Sydney FC – that performance and that result, especially in front of our home fans and against our biggest rivals,” said Grant, who was confident the sixth-placed Sky Blues would play finals football this season.
“We’re still in the driver’s seat to make sure we’re in the top six.
“We’ve got no-one to blame but ourselves if we don’t get there. On our day we can beat anyone.”
