O’Neill intent on cementing Socceroos spot after strong start in Belgium
Following a strong start to life at Standard de Liège in Belgium, Aiden O'Neill is intent on cementing his place in the Subway Socceroos midfield, starting by staking a claim against Mexico on Sunday at 12:00PM (AEST).
Watch Aiden's press conference in the player above or via our Football Australia YouTube channel.
O'Neill signed with the Belgian Pro League side on a four-year contract in June after becoming a vital cog in Melbourne City's midfield which ultimately ended in a third straight Premiership and fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance.
Since arriving at the 10-time Belgian champions, O’Neill has started in all of his side’s six games and has only been replaced once - despite Liege struggling in second last spot on the ladder with only three points.
“My fitness is really good. I’ve been playing a lot of minutes,” he said.
“We’ve been unlucky in quite a few games. The expectation at a big club like Standard Liege is winning games.
“We’re working on that. It’ll come. There’s a lot of work to be done with the team, but it will happen and we will get results.
“It’s a challenge and a challenge that I wanted as a person and as a performer as well to grow and improve as a player.
“Making this step back over to Europe, and a really good league in Belgium, is something that I’m really enjoying and trying to take in my stride ... you’ve got to improve as a player.
“What I’ve found in the international games, as well as the league in Belgium, is the (increased) speed of play and the time on the ball – you definitely don’t get that time.
“You’ve just got to make sure that you’re on it because they’ve got some very good players in the league there.”
With Aaron Mooy's retirement, the Socceroos' midfield is going through a transitioning phase and O'Neill is keen to be part of that, particularly after his recent transfer.
O'Neill, along with others in camp like Keanu Baccus and Cameron Devlin, admired Mooy and are now striving to claim his spot in the starting lineup.
"With Aaron Mooy leaving there is a bit of a replacement phase to happen and the quality of the players that we have coming through is really exciting," O'Neill said.
"We're all looking at that spot and there's quite a few of us.
"What is important as well is that we're playing for our club, playing consistent football and in good form as well.
"It's such a good group to be involved with. We come here and we just enjoy ourselves so much and really push each other."
O'Neill made his Socceroos debut in March against Ecuador in Sydney to become Cap No. 629 and after featuring in the two-game series against the South American nation, he also lined up in June's friendly against Argentina.
Now with the chance to play against another top-quality nation in Mexico, O'Neill is relishing his tough introduction to international football.
"Playing these calibre teams is perfect for the experience, you learn so much," O'Neill said.
"With the group (of players) we have, and how well they did at the World Cup, it's warranted these big games that we're playing (against) top opposition on the international stage.
"Everyone wants to play against the big nations. It's what we want and where we want to be and what we strive to be."
The Subway Socceroos will play its fourth friendly match of 2023 when it faces Mexico at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Sunday 12:00PM (AEST). Read the Ultimate Guide: Mexico vs Australia here.
International Friendly
Mexico vs Australia
Date: Sunday, 10 September 2023
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Time: 12:00pm AEST, (9:00pm Saturday, 9 September local time)
Broadcast: Live on Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+