Subway Socceroo Riley McGree said that it “feels great” to be back in camp after a long injury layoff to start 2025.
McGree has returned to the national team fold for the training camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of our all-important World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
The Middlesbrough attacking midfielder discussed the mood in the camp, the fierce competition for places, and the squad’s mentality ahead of the upcoming international window.
See more: Hayden Foxe says Socceroos are "raring to go"
The feeling of returning to camp
It feels great. It’s always an honour for me to come into camp. I've been working hard for a long time to try and get my body right, and it's starting to come good. So hopefully I can stay on top of it, and keep progressing, and get to where I want to be.
Emotions around injuries and recovery
It's obviously frustrating being out, not being able to do what I love. For me, the best part about it is I can put my head to the pillow at night knowing that I'm doing everything I can to stay fit and be fit. So if I'm doing that, then that's all I can ask for, for myself and everyone around me.
Proving himself to the coaching staff
It was just a matter of me getting to a place in my body where I'm fit enough to be able to try and produce my best, and I'll put my best foot forward. Whether they [the coaching staff] see me fit, or if they don't see me fit, then that's the decision they're going to make. I will give myself the best opportunity - and I'll give this team, and them, the best opportunity - to make that decision.
Competing for places in the squad
There's an edge with everyone. We’re all trying to prove that we want to play and we want to put our best foot forward, and be the best version of ourselves. I don't think it's just up to the young players to prove themselves. I think even the senior boys, day in and day out, are trying to prove themselves. Nothing's guaranteed in football, no place is ever guaranteed. I think that's important for all of us to have that mindset, so that we're pushing and driving each other to raise the bar and have the best possible standards come game time.
The team’s mentality
You can only take it one game at a time and one day at a time. The main priority is today, the training session we have today, and it's to get the best out of ourselves. And then come the first game against Japan, we've got one intention and one goal, and that is to win. So the full focus is obviously on that game. Then once that game is done, and hopefully we've got the result we want, we will then move on to the next game [against Saudi Arabia].
MATCH DETAILS
Subway Socceroos v Japan
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 9:00pm AEST
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 4.15am AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+