Keanu Baccus insists St Mirren have set him up for the game of his life against Lionel Messi’s Argentina
The Buddies ace helped World Cup underdogs Australia earn a 1-0 win over Denmark to set up a mouth-watering last 16 clash.
And after La Albiceleste beat Poland to top spot in Group C, now he’s facing superstar Messi’s joint-favourites for a place in the Qatar quarter-finals.
Baccus believes it was his gamble in moving to the Saints that paved the way for his World Cup adventure after moving halfway round the Earth to Paisley from Western Sydney Wanderers.
Just six months later, he is with his country in the next round of the World Cup and set to face off against one of the greatest players of all time.
The talented 24-year-old played the entire second half as the Socceroos swatted aside the Danes to progress from their group for only the second time.
And speaking exclusively to Renfrewshire Live Sport from Australia’s Aspire Academy training base in Doha, Baccus said he’d forever be grateful to St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson for giving him the Premiership minutes he needed to prove he deserved to mix it with the world’s elite.
He said: “Our coach Graham Arnold showed tremendous faith in me to put me on at half-time against Denmark.
“It showed to myself that all the hard work in the past few months has been totally worth it.
"St Mirren has played a huge part in me getting ready for a World Cup last 16 match against Argentina.
"We both took chances on the move back in the summer and it’s paid off for us.
“The gaffer and the staff gave me so many minutes in the lead up to the tournament which played a big part in me getting here. I’ll forever be grateful to him and St Mirren for that.
“I’m definitely blessed from above and all the hard work I’ve put in over the last 10 years in football, it’s all helped to prepare me for these moments.”
Baccus and his tight-knit national teammates now have the daunting task of trying to deny Argentina legend Messi the chance to lift the famous Jules Rimet Trophy in what is likely to be his last opportunity.
The Socceroos have already upset the apple cart to make it through Group D at the expense of Denmark – many pundits’ dark horse for the tournament.
Baccus insists he won’t be leaving anything in the tank on Saturday night as the Aussies look to pull off a result that would send shockwaves around the world.
He said: “Argentina is going to be another amazing game and a massive occasion. But we need to treat is as just another game of football.
“We have got to go out there with the same energy and belief and do our best for ourselves, our families and the nation as a whole.
“We are here for a reason. We’ve shown we’re not just here to make up the numbers.
“The camaraderie in the squad is unbelievable. We are so together as a whole squad, every single player is involved.
“We need to enjoy the moment on Saturday, but also give it our best shot and not have anything left in the tank by full-time.”
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