FOR most of us, a run around the local park is little more than an attempt to keep in shape. Maybe we would do it to train for a 10k, perhaps even a marathon. Between negotiating your way past other joggers and dodging errant dogs, it is about as far removed from the life of a top professional athlete as can be imagined. Well, most of them.
As Australia geared up for a for play-offs against the UAE and Peru with a place at this winter’s World Cup in Qatar at stake earlier this summer, Aaron Mooy found himself in something of a conundrum. The central midfielder, who earlier this week signed a two-year deal with Celtic, needed to train to give himself a chance of being included in Graham Arnold’s squad but was unattached to a club after his time at Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port was cut short.
A warm-weather training camp with the rest of his compatriots in Dubai in the build-up to the match itself was lying in wait, and the 31-year-old avowed to be in top condition for it. The decision was made to fly a fitness coach out to Glasgow, where Mooy’s family are based, and he trained in the only place that he could.
“The national team knew I was sort of in limbo, so they had one of the fitness coaches come out and train me in Scotland,” he explained.
“We then did a warm weather training camp in Dubai building up to the games. It was obviously an amazing time for me and for Australia to qualify for the World Cup.
“There is a local park near my house [where I trained]. Then we went to Dubai and it was more professional. A bunch of the team were there so it was good.
“I was really motivated [when training in the park] because they were important games. I didn’t really need that much motivation because I was hungry to be there.
“There were people walking their dogs and I’m legging it.
“A few young kids and kids kicking the ball around [recognised me] but it wasn’t too bad.”
He added: “I haven’t touched the ball for a while [since Australia’s play-off win over Peru]. I’ve only just started training two days now.
“I did some fitness testing the other day and today was just doing some football with the reserve team.
“It was nice to touch the ball again but you need some time to get up to speed and try to be in the best shape possible.”
When Mooy first moved to China in the summer of 2020, he had to do so without his family. That adversity away from the game made life difficult, he admits, but overall he looks back on the experience positively.
Shanghai Port – formerly known as Shanghai SIPG – weren’t shy of luring big names to the club during Mooy’s time there and he enjoyed playing alongside players who have competed at the very top of the sport.
A return to Europe never seemed particularly likely but Mooy insists he knew that the door was not shut altogether.
“Probably not, but you never know,” he replied when asked if he envisioned a return to European football. “My contract was a cut a bit short in China. Maybe if it had been another year later it wouldn’t have been a possibility.
“I’m just happy to be here and looking forward to it all.
“It was a difficult time before. One of the main things in China was that I couldn’t get my family over so I over there by myself for large periods without seeing them. That makes it tough.
“But it was a good life experience and there were good players there. The level is pretty good. Shanghai is also an amazing city so, as I say, it was a good experience.
“There were a lot of stars, if you like, in my team – Hulk, Oscar, [Marko] Arnautovic. It was nice to play with these guys.”
Now that a move to Parkhead has been agreed, Mooy will get to spend more time with his family. The former Huddersfield Town and Brighton midfielder met his wife during his time at St Mirren between 2010 and 2012 but there is another member of the clan who will be keeping a keen eye on his progress in Glasgow.
Mooy’s father-in-law, Ian, is a lifelong Celtic supporter and the new signing hopes that a fulfilling life off the park will lead to better performances on it.
“I’ve seen him watch the games before and when Celtic score he screams the roof off,” Mooy said of his father-in-law.
“He will be on my back making sure I am doing everything I can.
“On paper it is perfect for me. The opportunity to play in this amazing stadium, the fans, it is a proper football club. I have family here. Hopefully I can enjoy my football and my life.
“I’m quite close with [Ian] so I can trust him. When I mentioned to him [about the move] he was a bit worried with what it’s like in Glasgow.
“But I couldn’t, once I had the chance, say no. Now he’s happy.
“He’s not a season ticket holder but he might get a ticket now! I’m sure he’ll be here a lot more.”
