TribalFootball correspondant Jeremy Lowe caught up with Sheffield United defender Shaun Murphy last week and asked the Australian international about next month's internationals, his time in England and the possibility of returning to Australia before retirement.
What is the feeling inside the recent Socceroo camps that you have been involved in, when players such as yourself have put your hand up to play for your country yet Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka turned down the opportunity?
I have a certain amount of sympathy for Mark and Harry because they have had long hard seasons in England and Europe and they need a rest. They are also in a different 'ballpark', they play for a huge club where a lot of money and pressure is on the club and their club expects a lot of their players. I have been through two long seasons without a break and niggling injuries start coming up which could do with a rest, so I can see their point of view but on the other hand it is a great honour to play for your country. It's a bit different for me too, I'm a relative newcomer to the national team and coming towards the end of my career whilst Harry and Mark are still young. I can't speak for the rest of the lads but I don't hold any resentment towards Harry and Mark.
Who do you think Australia will be up against in the up and coming World Cup qualifiers?
After Brazil beat Chile recently, I would have to say Uruguay.
How do you rate Australia's chances of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup?
Quite good really. I think that we have the best squad ever and with the recent results we've had we have the confidence to win. With the tournament we played in against Chile, Colombia and Paraguay earlier this year we did quite well so we have the confidence to win against the South American teams also.
Do you think that the recent cancellation of friendlies in Europe will harm Australia's preparation for the World Cup qualifiers?
Most definitely, it's not an ideal situation. It is always good to get the lads together as often as possible and considering the proposed games were on designated international weekends it's a shame, but the lads will be together for a few weeks with the France game which should make up for it.
After the recent victories over Scotland, Mexico, France and Brazil has Australia's reputation improved in Europe?
I think, definitely. Even in the dressing rooms at Sheffield the lads think that we have a great chance of qualifying even against the fifth placed South American side. When you have players like Kewell, Viduka, Okon etc plus the experience we've got, we have a class team.
Considering your good form for club and country why did it take so long for you to be called up to the national team?
Whilst Terry Venables was coach I was asked to go to a training camp, but my good form for my club coincided with my form for Australia. At West Bromwich Albion my form wasn't really good plus I had a lot of injuries so I wasn't playing often which limits your progress. I was lucky enough that certain players were injured and got a call up for the tournament in Chile. Which, luckily, I did well in.
So the Chile tournament was important to you?
Yeah, it's like so many things in football you have to be in the right place at the right time and you will get selected. That's why I tell the young kids not to lose heart if you fail in trials etc.
You have played for a few English clubs now including Notts County, West Brom and Sheffield United, what club have you enjoyed playing for the most?
Notts County was good because it was my first club and it was a big deal when I was young. But I would have to say that Sheffield United has been my favourite so far due to the professionalism, the quality of the facilities and the people behind the scenes really makes United my favourite and I'm happy living where I am. Plus it seems to be bringing the best out in me.
Do you still harbour the ambition of playing in the Premier League or a European equivalent competition?
I think every player does, obviously time is not on my side but I think that I could cope in the Premier League, but again it's someone seeing you at the right time. I'm hoping that if we qualify for the World Cup then it will increase my profile. If we do well and I don't sort something out with Sheffield then maybe I could move onto the Premier League.
Will you finish your footballing career in Australia and if so where would you like to end up?
Yes, I will be finishing my footballing career in Australia and hopefully it will be with Perth Glory.
What does the N.S.L. have to do to be able to keep players such as yourself in Australia rather then going overseas?
I think it is good that the young players are starting to go full time, the money level is getting where good players can earn decent money and it obviously gives the kids something to aim for. Before it would get to a level where a good young player would have to choose to keep playing part time and not making the money they could maybe get in Europe or, choosing to work for a living. If the N.S.L. can keep paying the good young players decent money it's going to help.
Have you ever been forced to choose between club and country?
No, not yet. I have been really lucky there. I have talked about it a lot of times with Sheffield and they know how important playing for Australia is to me and they know that if we qualify for the World Cup the game in Australia will get a big boost. I haven't really missed that many games either, I think with the Chile tournament I only missed one game and the rest have been on an international weekend. Frank Farina has been really good that way to try and limit the damage to the clubs.
What are your plans for when your playing career is over?
I have thought about that a lot and obviously most players would like to have a bit of money behind them so they can start up some sort of business and I think I would like to do something like that.
What about getting into the coaching scene?
I would like to get into coaching but not anything where I'm going to make a lot of money. Maybe just at amateur level or even just coaching kids. I don't think I would like the pressure of being a manager for any team straight away anyway but I can't say down the track if I was missing the game that I wouldn't do it.
Since you attended the Australian Institute of Sport, how does it compare to the youth academies in Britain?
I think that the A.I.S. is a totally professional organisation. Even though they are improving in England they are only just doing things that I was doing at the A.I.S. ten years ago such as having Sports scientists, Sports psychologists etc.
And finally, what message have you got for the long-suffering Socceroo fans?
Be patient! If we can put out the best team we possibly can, I think we can beat most teams. The players talk about it all the time and they know how much it means to the fans and themselves. They also know that if we do qualify, then the game in Australia will get a huge boost. I think that the Australian public and not just the soccer public back winners and considering that the World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world the whole of Australia will really get behind us.