Segečić After Scoring Against West Ham
Portsmouth's young winger Adrian Segečić spoke to Net.hr about his switch of national teams, why Australia wasn't happy, and his biggest career ambition.
Portsmouth's young winger Adrian Segečić spoke to Net.hr about his switch of national teams, why Australia wasn't happy, and his biggest career ambition.
Adrian Segečić, the Portsmouth winger who impressed in the Championship last season, was caught up with the day after scoring the only goal for his club against West Ham. That goal was especially sweet because it was that very London club that new Croatia coach Slaven Bilić once managed.
Segečić doesn't hide that he's aware of Bilić's past and hopes it will put him in the spotlight. "It was funny. All the lads said he used to coach West Ham and that he'd definitely be watching. He's really good with young players. I think we've seen that both with the national team and in club football. He's worked in England, so he knows how demanding the league is, and I hope we'll stay in touch. I hope he'll be watching the games, and I'll keep playing well and show I can give my all for him as well," Segečić told Net.hr.
His dream of playing for Croatia began to come true with a pre-call-up from former coach Zlatko Dalić ahead of World Cup preparations. "The fact that everything happened so quickly, and that Croatia and coach Dalić showed faith in me, was a really big decision for me. Seeing that they wanted to include me in the national team and that they see me as a serious player meant a lot. I think that since I switched national teams, I've become a better player," he said.
Swapping his Australian passport for a Croatian one didn't go smoothly. Although he had played for Australia's youth teams for years, Segečić decided to follow his heart. "People in Australia weren't happy about it. I played for Australia since I was very young. It was simply a decision I wanted to make for my career," he admitted.
In the decision-making process, some former internationals also played a key role. "Of course, I spoke with Olić, and Joe Šimunić called me too-he did the same thing I did. I also talked with my agents and family. At the end of the day, the decision was solely mine. I wanted to play for Croatia," the winger was clear.
He's particularly motivated by the chance to share a dressing room with Luka Modrić, whom he considers one of the greatest in history. "He's one of the best players in the world, probably one of the best of all time in Croatian football. For me, it's an incredible thing to have the opportunity to learn from a player like that and train with him. It really means a lot to me. Of course, my biggest wish is to play for Croatia, to appear at a World Cup, and to help the Croatian national team reach an even higher level," he revealed his ambitions.
At the end of the conversation, when asked who he supports in the Croatian league, Segečić remained neutral. "Honestly, I've never particularly supported one club. I've been to quite a few Dinamo and Hajduk games. I think that if you're in Croatia and such a match is on, it's almost obligatory to go and watch the derby. But I've never really rooted for either team," he concluded.
Diplomatic off the pitch, but direct on it, Segečić wants to continue at the same pace after a dream season. The race for the September gathering and Bilić's call-up has officially begun.
