Why Portsmouth's Adrian Segecic made controversial call to turn back on Australia
Adrian Segecic’s defection for Croatia has caused controversy in the Sydney man’s country of birth. Pompey’s top scorer today explains the reasons for that decision.
Adrian Segecic promised he has the conviction he can make the international grade with Croatia.
And the Pompey attacker feels switching allegiances to his new country from Australia was the ‘right thing to do for me’ as he backed himself to make it with the 2018 World Cup finalists.
Segecic on switching allegiances: ‘It felt like right thing to do for me’
Segecic sprung a surprise last month as he agreed to commit to the nation he’s eligible for through family ties, with the Blues’ top scorer called up at under-21 level.
That’s with the 21-year-old failing to get a full senior cap for the Socceroos in World Cup year, after making a strong impact in his maiden Championship campaign.
The decision has caused a commotion in Australia, as the man from Sydney follows in the footsteps of the likes of Josip Simunic and Anthony Seric who travelled a similar path.
Segecic feels the move is the right one for him, however, with the fault on his head if he doesn’t fulfil his international aspirations after making the call.
He said: ‘It’s my decision and I just wanted to back myself.
‘There’s been so much media talk about it. I didn’t expect that, to be honest.
‘I know I’m going to cop a lot of stick about it, but it’s just my decision to make and I have to stick by that.
‘I have to back myself. I wanted to play for Croatia and I wanted to achieve that. People are going to say a lot of stuff about it, but all I can do is back myself and believe in myself.
‘The only person I can blame if I don’t get there (to playing for Croatia at senior level and in big tournaments) is myself.
‘I just feel like it was the right thing to do for me, my career and my family. I wanted to make that decision because it felt like the right thing to do for me.’
Segecic has linked up with a familiar Pompey face in ‘legend’ Niko Kranjcar following his international switch, with the former Fratton favourite part of the Croatia under-21 coaching staff.
‘Legend’ Niko Kranjcar has been ‘unbelievable’
The classy Blues Premier League hero has helped Segecic’s transition be a smooth one, as he featured for his adopted nation against Turkey under-21s last month.
Segecic added: ‘Niko’s been unbelievable. The first day in the camp he came and made me feel so welcome.
‘It’s definitely good to have someone there who has played at Portsmouth before. There’s that connection there already for me before I get into camp.
‘We did actually (have conversations about Pompey). We had a laugh and there was a few stories, ones I need to keep private! But he’s been unbelievable and he’s definitely helped in a few training sessions.
‘He’s definitely still got it, too. I feel I can learn a lot from him, he’s such a legend.’