Due to his lack of participation for Australia during the current international break, Sunderland loanee Nectar Triantis may be at the centre of an international battle. According to reports, the 21-year-old, who has been in outstanding form for Hibernian of the Scottish Premiership this season, was given his first-ever senior international call-up by Socceroos manager Tony Popovic this month. In a surprising turn of events, however, Triantis was left out of Popovic’s matchday squads for Australia’s 5-1 and 2-0 wins against China and Indonesia, respectively.
“The non-selection of Nectarios Triantis in the last two matches of the Socceroos by Tony Popovic has opened the door for the 22-year Greek Australian player from Scottish Hibernian FC to be called up to the Greek Men’s National Team,” the Greek Herald reports, adding that Popovic’s decision to leave Triantis out of his plans has alerted officials from Greece’s national team, for whom the midfielder is also eligible to represent.
“The Greek Herald contacted a senior official of the Greek National Team who mentioned that in recent months, Triantis has been closely monitored by the scouts of the Greek National Team and his lack of involvement with the Socceroos is on their radar.”
“It’s obviously a good feeling that other countries are wanting you,” he remarked. Greece certainly have a special place in my heart because my parents are Greek and I was raised in a Greek home in Sydney. However, I believe that playing for Australia has always been my desire since I was a child there. I’m not entirely sure about the countries because I might play for either, therefore I have mixed feelings about it. However, Greece does hold a special place in my heart.
“My parent club is Sunderland, but I have a good soft place for Hibs because I’ve spent a long time there on loan, now totalling 18 months,” the prodigy remarked during a press conference while on international duty. I’ve enjoyed my time with Hibs, and I’ll just have to wait and see what transpires during the summer. Being in the Premier League, the greatest league in the world, is another objective of mine. I believe all players want to be there.
“It would be fantastic for me personally to get promoted to the Premier League, and I would then need to put in a lot of effort to secure a place in that squad. Being referred to be the “Aussie Rodri” by fans is arguably one of the greatest compliments you will ever receive. I can sense the affection, so that’s lovely to hear. The support and encouragement I receive from my followers truly motivates me. All I need to do is keep working hard and keeping my head down until I get my chance. You cannot fail yourself by being mentally weak. I must thus continue to work hard and wait for my chance.”
