Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has once again reaffirmed his commitment to promoting emerging talent after calling up a trio of youngsters for the side’s match against the Wellington Phoenix this evening.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has once again reaffirmed his commitment to promoting emerging talent after calling up a trio of youngsters for the side-s match against the Wellington Phoenix this evening.
With Rutger Worm (groin), Eli Babalj (hip and thigh) and John Aloisi (rested) ruled out of the away trip, van ‘t Schip has turned to Heart-s burgeoning core of youth, calling up Brendan Hamill, Jason Hoffman and Kliment Taseski.
While Hamill started four matches earlier in the season before suffering an injury on Young Socceroos duty, Hoffman and Taseski are yet to make an appearance from the opening whistle of the contest.
But Van ‘t Schip said he is confident the youngsters will be able to rise to the challenge at Westpac Stadium in New Zealand.
“We’ve brought in three young players and the other players are the same as we had against Adelaide. From those 15 we will find again, 11 who will start. But we will look to stay in the same system and fit in a few players who have not have a lot of games,” he said.
“If other players aren-t available, then the young players come in and get a chance. You’ve seen that some young players have really taken those chances and they are playing well.
With the likes of Simon Colosimo and Dean Heffernan also unavailable for selection, van ‘t Schip will have a selection conundrum in coming weeks as he finds himself facing a roster brimming with talent.
But van ‘t Schip said a player-s experience will have no influence in his squad selection, revealing players will have to earn a place on merit.
“If a young player comes in and plays well, then they can stay in the team. I’ve mentioned before, I don’t look at age. I look at how everybody is training and how they perform and if they deserve to play, they will play,” he said.
