Growing up in a rugby and cricket-daft country, Keanu Baccus’ love of the beautiful game actually made him stand out as a kid.
Coming through the youth ranks at Western Sydney Wanderers, the energetic player only ever had making it in one sport on his mind; football.
That’s lucky for St Mirren. They’ve already benefited hugely from his talent after he turned down other offers from Scotland and beyond to join the Buddies in the summer.
That decision has now paid off massively for the 24-year-old. Having made the cut for Australia’s final 26-man squad, Baccus will now be jetting off to Qatar next week as the affable midfielder looks to make an impact in the Socceroos’ tough World Cup group alongside France, Denmark and Tunisia.
Just turning out on the biggest stage in world football would be a dream come true for Baccus.
And he’s hoping to do St Mirren proud after they took a chance on him by giving him a platform to shine in European football, an opportunity he’s undoubtedly grasped.
Baccus told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It felt amazing when I got the phone call. I have wanted this since I was five years old and started playing football.
“This is the pinnacle of football and I feel so privileged to get this opportunity.
“The club told me I’m the first St Mirren player to go to a World Cup. That is amazing and it makes me feel so proud.
“I think getting the shout justifies my decision to join St Mirren.
“I had other options and I had the chance to go overseas when I was younger. But this just felt right.
“It started when the gaffer called me and explained his vision of the club to me.
“I think I owe it to a lot of people including the manager and all the coaching staff here and the players.
“They have all given me the platform to play well each week. The club took a chance on me but I feel it has worked out well.
“I also took the chance to come over here from Australia, I left my family and it worked out well.
“I just want to say thanks to everyone, the players, staff, everyone who has helped and who made this possible.
“I had the chance to go to a different country when I was 21, 22, but I didn’t think I was ready. I was playing some good football at that time and was on the brink of the national team, but I said no.
“I had this chance and I thought I was old enough to leave my family - it was now or never.
“The gaffer here called me, told me his plan and it has all worked out. He is a big part of me being chosen.”
Saints boss Stephen Robinson is understandably delighted to see Baccus make the cut and represent the club at the World Cup.
The Northern Irishman fully expects Saints fans to now be supporting the Socceroos in Qatar with one of their own in line to make an historic appearance.
Robinson is certain Baccus would do his country proud if called upon to add to his caps on the biggest stage in football.
He said: “I was told it’s the first time St Mirren have ever had someone in a World Cup squad, so obviously we’ll all be supporting the Socceroos now!
“The whole of Paisley is going to be dressed in Australia kits no doubt.
“It’s fantastic for Keanu. We wish him nothing but good luck. We’ll all be rooting for him and it’s a credit and a compliment to our recruitment here that we’ve been able to get a player of that stature and not pay over the odds.
“It took a long time on the administration front but we eventually got him in and it certainly proved worthwhile.
“He’s the type of player I want to play in every game.
“He appreciates what everybody has done for him here and you couldn’t wish to meet a nicer boy. His enthusiasm on and off the pitch is incredible.
“Hopefully he’ll be fit to play a part with us in the next two games and then go and have a super World Cup.”
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