Melbourne Victory manager Jim Magilton said he was keen to ‘put on a show’ for Launceston football fans, when his side hosted their first-ever Hyundai A-League match in Tasmania against Gold Coast United on Wednesday.
Melbourne Victory manager Jim Magilton said he was keen to ‘put on a show’ for Launceston football fans, when his side hosted their first-ever Hyundai A-League match in Tasmania against Gold Coast United on Wednesday.
Magilton said he was anticipating Victory to put on an entertaining clash against cellar-dwellers United at Aurora Stadium.
“Looking forward to the game, the boys are well prepared, and we’re excited about the prospect of playing here (in Tasmania). Hopefully we can get a good turnout, and hopefully we can put on a show,” Magilton said.
“Come out, enjoy it. Come and see us play, hopefully we can put on a performance. But certainly come out and enjoy the occasion,” was the Northern Irishman’s message to the Tasmanian public.
The 42-year-old added that it was a big four days coming up for the two-time Hyundai A-League premiers, with their date with United followed by a derby with rivals Melbourne Heart on Saturday at AAMI Park.
“We can’t get away from it, it’s a big week. But every time Melbourne come to town, it’s always a big game,” he said.
“So there’s a certain amount of pressure, but again being a Melbourne Victory manager, being a Melbourne Victory player, you’ve got to be able to handle that and come out and withstand what Gold Coast throw at us, and come out with the quality that we have in the team.”
United boss Miron Bleiberg had earlier said he was nicer than upcoming counterpart Magilton, but the Victory manager took the comments from his peer with a grain of salt.
“Well he hasn’t met me so he doesn’t know,” Magilton said with a laugh.
“I’m sure I’ll see him later on this evening, and we’ll have a chat. I’ll ask him to quantify his comments,” he added, alluding to a Tuesday meeting which will see Magilton and Bleiberg mingle with Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten.
Magilton said his time at the Victory had been positive so far, despite some deflating results on the pitch.
“Really enjoyable,” Magilton said, of his three-match stint.
“I wish results were better, but certainly the three weeks I’ve been able to work with the players, their application, their attitude has been top class.”
“So very early days, but I knew what I was getting myself into, I knew we’d have to hit the ground running, we just have to apply ourselves, and concentrate what we do in training, bring it into games and hopefully build up a head of steam and that will give us all the confidence to go and play and win games.”
