Davidson cool on Jason’s Socceroos step-up

Getting selected for the national team is the dream of every young footballer but Jason Davidson will have his feet firmly on the ground, according to his father, Australia great Alan Davidson.

Getting selected for the national team is the dream of every young footballer but Jason Davidson will have his feet firmly on the ground as he heads into his first Qantas Socceroos camp, according to his father, Australia great Alan Davidson.

Jason was the surprise pick in Holger Osieck-s Socceroos squad to face Scotland next week but Alan says while he-s pleased his son-s consistent performances with Eredivise club Heracles Almelo have caught the national coach's eye, Jason knows this is only the first step.

“It-s great he-s got a call-up and I-m excited they-ve recognised his form but it-s another level again playing internationally,” Alan said.

“He-s still a baby in those terms and hopefully he-ll do well and continue playing with the Socceroos once he gets his chance.

“A call-up-s great but in this industry it-s all about doing the business. Until he-s played a game, until he-s done well in a game, I won-t relax.

“I know from my own experience that it-s great to be called up but that-s only the start of it; you-ve got to actually do the job, because there have been a lot of players in the past that have played for the Socceroos that have played a handful of games and never gone back again.”

Jason certainly understands discipline after leaving home at 14 to develop through the demanding Japanese school system, and after a troubled stint in Portugal, Alan knows his son has learnt some important lessons required to succeed as a professional footballer in Europe and hopefully with the national team.

“He loves his football in Holland, he loves the structure. I-ve got a team around him to keep him level headed and keep his feet on the ground.

“I told him, ‘You-re in an industry, don-t ever become a star.- I asked a player for some advice once before - and that's what he told me; his name was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. But Jason didn-t know who he was; he had to Google him and realised he was captain of West Germany, European footballer of the year and so on.

“There are so many players that want to play international football you-ve got to be ready for it and be able to step up again. It-s a good step for him but as a father I-ll be ecstatic after the game if he gets a run and does well.”

The Qantas Socceroos are next in action on Wednesday, 15 August, when they take on Scotland in an international friendly at Edinburgh-s Easter Road Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm local time (Kick off is at 5am AEST, Thursday, 16 August).

Australia-s FIFA World Cup qualification journey resumes on Tuesday, 11 September, when the Qantas Socceroos meet the challenge of Jordan in Amman. Kick off is at 7pm local time (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos are next in Australia in 2013, starting with a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia on Tuesday, 26 March. Kick off is at 7.30pm local time.

The Qantas Socceroos return to Stadium Australia on Tuesday, 18 June to continue their FIFA World Cup qualification journey against Iraq. Kick off is at 7.30pm local time.