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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Watch as Ange delivers rousing Australia speech ahead of England game

This is the moment that Ange Postecoglou delivered a rousing motivational speech to the Australia national team ahead of their upcoming match against England.

The Spurs manager was invited to speak to the first-team squad at their hotel in London as they prepare for the international friendly at Wembley on Friday night.

Guus Hiddink also delivered a talk to the team. He of course managed the national side as they reached the World Cup in Germany 2006.

There were plenty of familiar Scottish football names in the room to listen to both of the experienced managers.

Martin Boyle, Keanu Baccus, Ryan Strain, Harry Souttar and Jackson Irvine could all be seen in the clip posted by the Socceroos online.

And ex-Celtic boss Postecoglou had a special message for the players.

Referring to Hiddink, the one-time Australia manager said: "Be grateful to the great man for the difference he made to Australian football. It took us a long time to get there, to a World Cup. 

"That was a big moment because a lot of these guys were just little boys and they got inspired by that. We used to talk about it a lot - that made a difference to their careers. 

"That's a message to you guys. You're playing for yourselves but the impact you can have on future generations, playing at a stadium like that, make an impact. It's not just for you, there's going to be a little boy or girl looks at that and go, 'One day that's going to be me'.

"That's the power you guys have when you represent your country. Different from your club football.

"Make your trip to Wembley a memorable one. Not that you just played England, but you knocked them off. That makes it memorable, not just for you but for everybody. Us as Australians we can do whatever we can believe we can. They keep putting us down, we keep working our way up. 

"It wasn't that long ago I was here. Now I'm in the Premier League and everyone loves me but trust me, I haven't changed one bit. The boys will tell you, I'm the same person.

"But because I was Australian because you're Australian, sometimes you have to work that little bit harder. Nothing wrong with that. That's what makes us special and different. 

"Nothing is given to any Australian footballer. You all have to earn what you get because as soon as you say you're from Australia, that puts you down a peg or two. But you're here because you don't let that happen and don't let that happen from now on."

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