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176486
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 14:21
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http://m.oananews.org//node/176486
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Glory eye off ACL after Smeltz arrival
Perth Glory owner Tony Sage has his sights firmly set on achieving Asian Champions League success after signing two-time golden boot winner Shane Smeltz for the next three A-league seasons.
Smeltz, a proven finisher who has scored 49 goals in 77 A-League games, will join the Glory as the club's international marquee, a position former England star Robbie Fowler held last season.
However, rather than Smeltz's arrival squeezing Fowler out the door, the 36-year-old has verbally accepted a new deal that will see his reduced wage included under the salary cap.
But Glory rising star Scott Neville could be on his way to bigger and better things after impressing English championship side Portsmouth, who have extended the 22-year-old's trial by a further week-and-a-half.
Smeltz, who played with Gold Coast last season and also scored a goal for New Zealand in last year's World Cup, joins Travis Dodd, Dean Heffernan, Danny Vukovic, Neil Young and Evan Berger as new signings at the Glory.
Sage has lost millions of dollars in Perth Glory over recent years, but said he remained committed to the club in the hope it would soon bring him the success he so craved.
"(I'm committed) until we win the Asian Champions League," Sage declared on Tuesday.
"After that I'll look at how much I've spent to get that far.
"But it's always been my aim, always been my dream, so I want to be able to do it.
"We've had some hiccups along the way. Last year was shocking.
"That (winning the ACL title) might take another two years now ... but we'll get there."
Despite Perth's horrendous campaign last season, which saw the club finish above only now-defunct North Queensland, Smeltz was confident something special was brewing at the Glory.
"It's all about timing and I think Perth Glory is heading in the right direction," Smeltz said.
"There's a fresh look about the club and it's something I want to be part of.
"I don't think one player is going to change everything but I think I can certainly help out."
Sage said Perth wouldn't stand in the way of Neville's overseas ambitions.
"They (Portsmouth) like him," Sage said.
"We never hold back any player, especially young players that want to progress.
"It's really up to Portsmouth now to make Perth Glory an offer if they want him.
"If not, he'll be back training with the squad in the next 10 days."
Meanwhile, Sage said the club's attempt to lure Scottish giants Celtic to Perth for a pre-season fixture had hit a minor snag, with fellow A-League club Newcastle Jets pulling out of the deal.
Celtic will only come to Australia if there are two games lined up, with Sage to canvass other A-League clubs to see if they want to be part of the deal.
Smeltz, a proven finisher who has scored 49 goals in 77 A-League games, will join the Glory as the club's international marquee, a position former England star Robbie Fowler held last season.
However, rather than Smeltz's arrival squeezing Fowler out the door, the 36-year-old has verbally accepted a new deal that will see his reduced wage included under the salary cap.
But Glory rising star Scott Neville could be on his way to bigger and better things after impressing English championship side Portsmouth, who have extended the 22-year-old's trial by a further week-and-a-half.
Smeltz, who played with Gold Coast last season and also scored a goal for New Zealand in last year's World Cup, joins Travis Dodd, Dean Heffernan, Danny Vukovic, Neil Young and Evan Berger as new signings at the Glory.
Sage has lost millions of dollars in Perth Glory over recent years, but said he remained committed to the club in the hope it would soon bring him the success he so craved.
"(I'm committed) until we win the Asian Champions League," Sage declared on Tuesday.
"After that I'll look at how much I've spent to get that far.
"But it's always been my aim, always been my dream, so I want to be able to do it.
"We've had some hiccups along the way. Last year was shocking.
"That (winning the ACL title) might take another two years now ... but we'll get there."
Despite Perth's horrendous campaign last season, which saw the club finish above only now-defunct North Queensland, Smeltz was confident something special was brewing at the Glory.
"It's all about timing and I think Perth Glory is heading in the right direction," Smeltz said.
"There's a fresh look about the club and it's something I want to be part of.
"I don't think one player is going to change everything but I think I can certainly help out."
Sage said Perth wouldn't stand in the way of Neville's overseas ambitions.
"They (Portsmouth) like him," Sage said.
"We never hold back any player, especially young players that want to progress.
"It's really up to Portsmouth now to make Perth Glory an offer if they want him.
"If not, he'll be back training with the squad in the next 10 days."
Meanwhile, Sage said the club's attempt to lure Scottish giants Celtic to Perth for a pre-season fixture had hit a minor snag, with fellow A-League club Newcastle Jets pulling out of the deal.
Celtic will only come to Australia if there are two games lined up, with Sage to canvass other A-League clubs to see if they want to be part of the deal.
