Brisbane Roar defender Jack Hingert says he took inspiration from team-mate Luke Brattan for the Karate Kid-style goal celebration after his first goal for the club on Saturday night against Adelaide United.
And the talented right-back will be happy to repeat the entertaining cameo if he can get on the score sheet again in the Roar’s double header this week against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday (7.40pm) and Saturday (7.30pm) nights at Suncorp Stadium.
Hingert, playing in his 86th Hyundai A-League match, made it 3-0 against the Reds in the 54th minute when he played a sweet one-two with Brandon Borrello and sent a low, right-footed shot past Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.
Brisbane held on to win 3-2 in a dramatic Round 25 match at Coopers Stadium with Hingert’s karate kick goal celebration at the corner flag one of the highlights of the night for Roar fans.
“It was the topic of the week to be honest,” Hingert laughed.
“Brattsy has grown his hair long and he was wearing a headband the other day and he looks like Johnny, the bad guy from the Karate Kid.
“We were having a laugh all week about him so I thought I’d pull it out for my goal!
“It was a tough week, it’s been tough travelling a fair bit but it just makes it better when you get a result like we did on Saturday. It was a very important result for us as well.”
The 24-year-old said he was quick to point out the goal-scoring tally to his team mate as well.
“It’s taken me a while to get there but I’ve finally got one,” he said.
“Now I’m ahead of Brattsy on the goals tally this season and he’s not too happy about that.
“It was a great feeling to finally score my first goal, hopefully now I can get a few more.
“Some people were surprised – couldn’t believe the amount of phone calls and text messages I got after the game!”
Hingert endured a difficult start to the current Hyundai A-League season.
He was not selected for the first four matches of the campaign before injuring his knee eight minutes into his first start of the season against Melbourne City at Suncorp Stadium in Round 5.
The injury put the former North Queensland Fury player out for two months.
“It’s been an up-and-down season and it was particularly disappointing after my knee injury,” Hingert said.
“With Ivan [Franjic] leaving in the off-season, I was looking forward to this season because I thought I’d have more chances to cement a spot in the starting XI but it didn’t work out that way in the start.
“I’m just glad to be back, fully fit, getting a few games in recently and now scored my first goal.”
Hingert is confident his luck has changed over recent weeks, and has shown versatility and commitment to the club’s Hyundai A-League Finals Series push by playing two matches in the unfamiliar position of left-back when Head Coach Frans Thijssen was low on defensive options.
“I’m a team player, like we all are, and anywhere the team needs me, I’ll play and do my best,” Hingert said.
“As a footballer, you just want to play games regardless of what position they need you to play in.
“I’d be happy to play anywhere the team needs me to.”
Don’t miss either match against Victory this week! Tickets for the matches on Wednesday and Saturday can be purchased at Ticketek. Please note: the 15 April match was a rescheduled fixture from Friday, 20 February. Tickets bought for this match are still valid.
