Matt McKay always looked forward to the day he returned to Brisbane Roar.
Matt McKay always looked forward to the day he returned to Brisbane Roar.
The Socceroo and former Roar captain looked right at home at training on Monday, his first session after penning a two year contract.
Speaking to the media, McKay was upbeat about taking part in the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 season.
“Ever since I left I was thinking about the day I-d come back,” said McKay.
“I feel very wanted here – it-s a club that-s going places and has improved since I was last here.”
McKay-s last season for the Roar was the 2010/11 campaign, when the club claimed its maiden Hyundai A-League Premiership and Championship.
He went on to play for Scottish side Rangers, Busan IPark in South Korea and Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai before coming home to Queensland less than two weeks ago.
Returning the Roar to the top was high on McKay-s checklist.
“I want to win the A-League again and I want to be a part of a successful side,” said McKay.
“It-s a great squad and it-s one of the reasons why I came back.”
Since McKay-s departure in 2011, the Roar has experienced a number of changes in both the playing roster and coaching staff.
However, the 30-year-old has worked with Mike Mulvey in the past at the Queensland Academy of Sport and said he is familiar with how the Roar-s Head Coach operates.
“I-ve known Mike for quite a long time,” McKay said.
“I know his philosophies and that he is an extremely good coach and man manager.”
McKay, now the last remaining Roar foundation player, said he has no intention of regaining club captaincy.
“There are plenty of leaders in the team. I-m happy to be a leader on and off the field, I just won-t have an armband on,” said McKay.
Mike Mulvey was excited to welcome McKay to Roar training, saying a player of his calibre was a fine addition to the squad.
“First and foremost he is a player who is going to make us a better team,” Mulvey said.
“Secondly, he is a Queenslander and ex-Brisbane Roar player. So it-s all good news.
“It is great to have someone in the prime of their career returning to the A-League.”
Mulvey said that McKay will most likely make his first “re-appearance” for the Roar when they play Melbourne Heart in Lismore on Sunday, 25 August.
“Whether he plays next week (against Palm Beach) is a possibility, but it will more likely be against Melbourne Heart,” Mulvey said.
Brisbane Roar-s pre-season campaign continues tomorrow against Brisbane Premier League side Wynnum Wolves at Carmichael Park, Tingalpa. Entry is a gold coin donation. Kick off is at 7pm.
