'If big clubs are looking, wonderful' - Australia boss on Irankunda future

Australia boss Tony Popovic says transfer speculation linking Nestory Irankunda with a Premier League move is "positive" but stressed that the Watford attacker should focus on their World Cup campaign.

A report last week suggested Bayer Leverkusen, Everton and Crystal Palace were watching Irankunda, who contributed four goals and five assists in his debut season at Vicarage Road.

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It was not entirely smooth sailing for the 20-year-old, who was substituted in the first half at Portsmouth by Paulo Pezzolano in October, largely sidelined by Javi Gracia, and told he was not fulfilling his potential by Ed Still.

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But Irankunda also showed signs of immense talent that will not have gone unnoticed elsewhere and was a standout player during a really poor finish to the campaign.

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Popovic is hoping the attacker can prove his talent on the world stage in USA, Mexico and Canada.

He said: "That type of speculation is positive.

"There's nothing negative about that. If the boy's doing well and big clubs are looking at him, that's wonderful.

"We shouldn't look at that as anything that's not in a positive spirit. The boy will have a little break now and he'll come in and I think we know how talented he is.

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"He's a slightly young player. He's a wonderful young man, so I have a good relationship with him and I don't want to make too much of it.

"I just want him to come in and enjoy the journey towards the World Cup and try and make sure that he’s at his very best on the bigger stage."

Irankunda is one of a few exciting Australian youngsters set to head to the tournament, another of whom is Norwich City striker and Irankunda's close friend Mo Toure.

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Popovic has in mind to balance out the youthful exuberance in his squad with enough seasoned options, as they prepare to take on Türkiye, USA and Paraguay in Group D.

He said: "We're all excited about the youngsters.

"I think I'm the first to say that I'm very excited about the young group coming through and I'm sure in the next four and eight years we should have a good core group of young players to move the Socceroos forward.

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"So there's an eye on now and there's an eye on the future but if you watch the game that was just played, Matthew Leckie was the best player on the park.

"A 35 year-old with no football under his belt. That a young player can’t do as yet."

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