Socceroos hard man Cam Devlin reveals funny way Graham Arnold told him he’d made 2022 World Cup
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Socceroos hard man Cameron Devlin reveals the hilarious way Graham Arnold told him he made the World Cup squad: ‘It was the longest 15 minutes of my life’
Socceroos’ combative midfielder Cameron Devlin has revealed how he endured the ‘longest 15 minutes of my life’ – before Graham Arnold confirmed his squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
The 24-year-old was enjoying a rare day off for Scottish Premier League club Hearts on Monday afternoon when his phone pinged.
It was a text from Arnold, where the Socceroos boss asked if he was free to chat.
An agonizing 15-minute wait followed, before Arnold confirmed the news Devlin longed for.
‘What are you doing next week? Congratulations, you’re in,” Arnold told Devlin, who made his international debut against New Zealand in September.
Cameron Devlin is on his way to the World Cup in Qatar after being selected in the 26-man Socceroos roster (pictured, on debut in September)
Coach Graham Arnold confirmed the good news on Monday, leaving Devlin elated – but only after making him sweat for 15 minutes
The enormity of the feat quickly dawned on me and tears of joy followed.
Devlin then called his parents – Andrew and Jackie – and the three shared a moment they will always cherish.
“We all had a big crying session on the phone. It was special,” Devlin . said Code sports.
“They supported me when I tried to make it. It’s just as much their success; [they’ve] they got so much of their time and just live by being the best parents I could wish for.’
Not bad for the kid that was often told by football coaches that he was too small when he was still growing up in the south of sydney.
We will Aware that he wasn’t a giant, the 170cm tall defensive midfielder took on the ‘criticism’ and kept his focus on the endgame – a career in the world’s greatest sport.
Devlin joined Hearts last year and has become a fan favorite as a hard hitting attacking midfielder (pictured, playing Celtic)
He impressed the Wanderers at youth level, before joining rivals Sydney FC in 2017.
Limited opportunities in the first team followed, after which Devlin made the connection with Wellington Phoenix from 2019.
With regular playing time over the Tasman, Devlin sealed a move to the Scottish Premier League last year, and the frenetic pace has suited him.
He also quickly became a crowd favorite at Hearts.
“It’s crowded, hectic and very different from home,” Devlin said.
“For the fans, it’s like a religion. They live and breathe it in.’