Aussies to call on ‘Minister of Defence’ against England with World Cup hero Harry Souttar charged with the job of stopping the star-studded Lions at Wembley

It’s one of Graham Arnold’s favorite old lines – but it’s still a treat.

“He’s the Minister of Defense in Australia,” said the Socceroos boss, glancing at the large unit sitting next to him at Wembley Stadium.

On the day he aimed both barrels at politicians he considers fair-weather friends of Australian football, Arnold made it clear that Harry Souttar is truly someone you can count on.

It has been a trying few months for the Leicester centre-back, with his club relegated to England’s second-tier Championship and then his own relegation to the bench as the team was revived under new boss Enzo Maresca.

But while he made a welcome debut against his former club Stoke last weekend, Souttar, who has played just 85 minutes of league action all season, has never been more than a must-start for its national adoption team.

Socceroos star Harry Souttar is expected to be a busy man at the heart of defense when Australia take on England at Wembley.

Souttar could be tasked with trying to contain England skipper Harry Kane (pictured)

“One hundred percent,” Arnold said when asked if the 24-year-old remains an inspiration to his teammates.

“And when he decided to come and play for Australia with the Olympic team, that was a big moment for me and for Australian rules football,” the coach said, reflecting on how the Scot with a mother Australian has chosen to wear green and gold in 2019.

‘The Defense Minister’ is sure to be severely questioned during the Socceroos’ glamorous friendly against England (Saturday, 5.45am AEST) at Wembley, although he doesn’t yet know who he will be defending against.

He could possibly try to stop another Harry as captain Kane looks for the goal to equal Bobby Charlton’s Wembley record of 23 for England.

But, more likely, he will be asked to manage some of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, as England test their XI ahead of the qualifier for next week’s Euro against Italy.

Either way, Souttar feels buoyed by the confidence shown in him – and it’s a night that could reignite a career that has been on hiatus since his World Cup exploits in Qatar and an impressive first spell after his move to Leicester.

Souttar had the tournament of his life representing Australia at the World Cup in Qatar last year (photo, like Argentina’s Julian Alvarez)

“You could say that,” Souttar mused, when asked if this was a high-profile opportunity to remind people of his talent.

“But there are only two people I need to let know that I’m here – obviously this man here (pointing to Arnold) and my manager at the club – they’re the ones who are going to pick me so I’m just going to do it. do my job as best as I can.

“It’s been an up and down season for me personally. Obviously I didn’t play as much as I would have liked, but the manager (Maresca) made it clear to the group that everyone was needed.

“That’s all I can do: be ready when asked.”

Australia will need the minister to be ready and at his best when he makes his debut under the Wembley arch.