Spurs star backs Socceroo as EPL looms

​Ryan Mason is backing former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Massimo Luongo to thrive at a big club as reports of a Swindon Town exit for the Socceroo gather pace.

Mason, 23, has earned a regular place in the Tottenham first team under head coach Mauricio Pochettino this season, having previously played alongside Luongo in the youth set-up.
 
The Australian midfielder had to join Swindon, initially on loan in 2013, to get a chance to prove himself, something he has done in emphatic fashion in 2014-15, helping the Robins to challenge for promotion and bursting onto the international scene with the Socceroos.
 
 
"He's a great player and friend, and back when we were at Spurs together you could see he had a lot to offer and had so many facets to his game," Mason was quoted as saying by SBS (http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/
 
"He's done remarkably well with club and country – and when he was voted the player of the tournament at the Asian Cup, I wasn't surprised at all."
 
Socceroos midfielder Massimo Luongo on the ball for Swindon Town.
 
Luongo has been linked with a move to re-join former Spurs academy coach Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa, while Tottenham themselves are believed to have a buy-back option.
 
Regardless of whether Swindon go up to the Championship or remain in the third tier, it appears unlikely the emerging Australia star will remain at The County Ground beyond the end of the campaign.
 
And Mason believes the 22-year-old is equipped to impress in the Premier League.
 
"I definitely think he can play at a higher level," he said.
 
"It's probably only a matter of time now."
 
Massimo Luongo's Swindon Town were beaten at Wembley in the League One playoff final.
 
There's another Australian connection on the horizon for the north London club, who will take on Sydney FC in an exhibition game at ANZ Stadium on May 30.
 
 
According to Mason, Spurs aren't expecting an easy ride when they face Graham Arnold's Sky Blues.
 
"We know that Sydney FC are having a big year in the A-League and are pushing hard to get to the grand final," he said.
 
"I am sure they are going to be up for this match just as much as we are. They are one of the biggest teams in the A-League and the way the game has been growing in Australia, it's going to be a game where we're going to have to be switched on to produce what we expect of ourselves every time we play."