Jason Cummings admits facing France in the World Cup was an 'unbelievable' feeling - 12 months after sitting on the bench at Dundee.
It's been a stunning year for the former Rangers and Hibs striker who made the move Down Under with Central Coast Mariners in a bid to rediscover his love for the game. He's did that and more after a stunning goal return in the A-League. His form didn't go unnoticed with a call-up to Graham Arnold's 26-man squad for Qatar.
The move gave Cummings the chance to reinvent himself and show everyone the level he is capable of reaching after tough times in both Scotland and England. The decision to move to Oz and take on a new career challenge has proved to be the best choice he's made and has changed his career. He's now reaping the rewards in what he describes as a 'dream come true'.
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The ex-Ibrox and Easter Road fans' favourite climbed off the bench against the world champions as the Socceroos went down 4-1 in their section opener. But facing the likes of Kylian Mbappe is a memory that will live with him forever as Australia regroup and get ready for Saturday's clash with Tunisia.
He told the Daily Mail: "It’s unbelievable. I have to take a step back and just realise how far I have come in the space of a year. I was on the bench for Dundee a year ago this week and to play France in the World Cup feels unbelievable.
"Australia was a good chance to reinvent myself. I wanted to show everyone what I’m capable of I had it tough sometimes when I was in England and playing in Scotland. But I always kept going, I always stayed positive, I always smiled.
"I kept working hard and believed that my time would come. But when you’re not playing it’s not easy sometimes.
"I just fell in love with football again when I moved to Australia. That’s down to the Mariners, the team I play for Down Under.
"Playing there every week got my confidence back and restored my enjoyment.
"Going to Australia changed my career and I can’t thank the club or Mariners coach Nick Montgomery enough. It feels like an honour to play there.
"That was what I was missing and now I am reaping the rewards with the Socceroos. It’s a dream come true.
"It’s a proud moment, a surreal moment, to play in the World Cup against France."
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