Stephen Robinson revealed his delight at Keanu Baccus’ World Cup call-up was tinged with disappointment his Buddie Ryan Strain wasn’t also heading for Qatar.
While St Mirren midfielder Baccus’ received the nod from Australia boss Graham Arnold, his teammate and pal Strain was coming to terms with the heartbreaking news he wouldn’t be joining him.
The Socceroos are gearing up for their opening clash against reigning World Champions France on Tuesday, November 22, with Baccus set to jet out to Qatar on Sunday after Saints’ clash with Rangers.
Robinson was “quietly confident” full-back Strain would also have made Australia’s 26-man cut, but insists the 25-year-old now has to refocus and keep pushing on with St Mirren to boost his chances of more international caps in the future.
Robinson said: “It’s fantastic for Keanu. At the same time it’s really disappointing for Ryan Strain.
“I really did think he would get in as well with his performances.
“It just goes to show the level of player they’ve got in their squad. It’s a hard job being an international manager.
“I’m not questioning his decision, I’m just disappointed for my player.
“I haven’t seen Ryan yet and the squad was announced in the middle of the night.
“Obviously he’ll be disappointed. I was quietly confident he would get in when you looked at the personnel available.
"Football is full of disappointments, but we’ll pick him up, put an arm around him and what he needs to do is go again.
“You can’t be feeling sorry for yourself too often in football because no-one else will. You’ve simply got to get on with it.”
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