Socceroo superstar Tim Cahill has dismissed suggestions he's disappointed to miss out on the captaincy, and has launched into an impassioned speech about the future of football in Australia.
Cahill, along with Mark Bresciano, was named on Wednesday as one of two vice-captains picked to support the new skipper Mile Jedinak at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
While Jedinak's appointment had already been flagged by Postecoglou's decision to hand him the armband for the friendly against Ecuador in March, New York Red Bulls man Cahill could have been forgiven for still harbouring ambitions to lead his country on the biggest stage.
But far from sulking at being overlooked, the 34-year-old is thrilled to be a part of what he described as a new dawn for the sport.
"There's no disappointment," he said.
"Every team I've ever played for, you don't need an armband to be a captain. Especially when, growing up, all I care about is football. I show it when I go out on the pitch.
"I love playing for my country.
"To be in this third World Cup and to even be sitting at this table, it's an honour, it's a privilege.
“The one thing is not to compete about things that are not really necessary, it's being part of a group and educating people.
"This is probably the start of a revolution. My children, your children now have the opportunity, playing in the A-League, to play for Australia.
“You see players like Taggart scoring 16 goals this year and getting rewarded."
Even if Cahill chooses to continue playing international football after this year's tournament, he is highly unlikely to be around for the 2018 World Cup, with the former Everton star recognising the importance of a younger man taking charge of the team.
"You've got to look at the bigger picture and understand that this is probably the start of something special not only now but for the Asian Cup, for the next qualifying [campaign] for the next World Cup," he said.
"People just need to look at the bigger picture and stop worrying about the minor things that are not relevant.
“Mile 100 precent has our backing and you can't be disappointed playing in your third World Cup."
Send Off the Socceroos
Socceroos vs South Africa, presented by NAB
Monday 26 May 2014
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Tickets from $30, including public transport. Buy now!