Twelve months ago, South Australian-born Rocky Visconte left long-time Scottish Premier League club Heart of Midlothian on loan for lower division side Ayr United in a bid to re-ignite his football career.
Now, one year on, Visconte is a part of Brisbane Roar-s premiership-winning squad with the team now preparing themselves for next week-s Grand Final.
The 20-year-old is the first to admit he-s got more to offer his club after spending the majority of the season limited to substitute appearances but for Visconte, just being fit and being involved in the game day squad is reward enough.
“If you look at the four years I spent in Scotland, I probably spent two of them being injured,” Visconte said.
“When I came here, one of my objectives was to stay injury free and the coaching staff have been great and not pushed me too hard.
“Timmy (Oostenbroek) the physio has looked after me and (assistant coach) Kenny Stead has given me the right training limits when he thinks I-ve needed them so everything has gone to plan.
“If you had looked at me last year, I was injured somewhere and now, I-m in a Grand Final.”
The left-footed winger spent four years with Hearts after leaving Australia as a 16-year-old in 2006 and despite making his SPL debut for the Scottish football heavyweights, Visconte craved more regular game time.
When Ange Postecoglou came knocking shortly after his Ayr United loan deal, Visconte had no hesitation in to returning home to Australia to be a part of the new Brisbane boss- plans to rejuvenate the club-s football culture.
Making 14 appearances in orange, including scoring the dramatic winner in their away win over Perth Glory earlier in the season, has made for an memorable first year in Queensland for the youngster but Visconte was already looking ahead.
“I-ve been in that situation all season where I-ve been in and out of the squad,” he said.
“I-m nowhere near the fittest I can be, I know that for a fact and that-s why I-m looking forward to a big pre-season.
“There are definitely another couple of gears in me.”
After spending both legs of the Major Semi Final against Central Coast Mariners as an un-used substitute on Postecoglou-s bench, the former U17 Australian representative had high hopes in featuring for Brisbane Roar in next week-s decider.
“It would be a dream, especially in front of what I hope is a big crowd,” he said.
“It would be brilliant to even be involved so I-m really looking forward to it.
“It-s only exciting now, all the boys can-t wait and I know every day at training the boys are giving 100 per cent.”
Brisbane Roar will host the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 Grand Final on Sunday, 13 March at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 4pm.
Tickets go on sale for the general public tomorrow morning at 9am.
Visit the Ticketek website or call Ticketek on 13 28 49.
