Aziz Behich has revealed how his Socceroo roommate — and ex-Dundee forward — Martin Boyle helped to sell him on a switch to Dundee United.
Behich, 31, was charged with helping the irrepressible Boyle settle into the international set-up after the Aberdeen-born attacker switched allegiances to Australia in 2018.
The duo have since become firm friends — albeit they will be Premiership rivals following Boyle’s high-profile return to Hibernian earlier this month.
And Behich had no qualms about asking Boyle for advice when the prospect of a move to Scotland, and more specifically Tayside, was mooted in July.
“Martin was rooming with me on his first trip with Australia,” Behich told Courier Sport. “He was just his usual bubbly self, from day one. I think that’s why the boys all love him so much.
“Martin blended in straight away — albeit without the accent; that’s the only thing that makes him different to the rest of us. He’s not quite picked that up yet!
“He’s a brilliant guy to have around the group, but we’re also very lucky to have him as a player.
“Since that first trip, we’ve kept a good connection and he’s now one of my best friends. I spoke to him before coming to Scotland and he only had good things to say about Dundee United and football in this country.
“He helped with the transition and gave me a lot of insight into the league.”
Behich added: “I also spoke to (Australia international) Harry Souttar, who was at Dundee United. He only had positive things to say about United and the city. There wasn’t a single negative comment and that was so exciting.”
Pedigree
Nevertheless, Behich has had an undeniably testing start to his United career.
Initially joining the club on July 27, he endured a frustrating wait for a work permit.
Finally cleared to play last Wednesday, his first two games for the club resulted in a 7-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar and a 4-1 reverse at Hearts — albeit Steven Fletcher’s successful penalty kick against the Jambos was earned by Behich’s surging dash into the box.
However, a pedigree of 52 Aussie caps and more than 300 senior appearances in Oz, Turkey and with PSV Eindhoven suggest a player who is likely to find his feet sooner rather than later.
“I’ve played cup finals with Bursaspor and won a first ever Turkish title with Istanbul Basaksehir, which was something special — it’s not easy to displace the top clubs in that league,” continued Behich.
“But I was ready for something new. It would have been easy to stay in Turkey but I am always looking for that next step and next challenge. I don’t like to be in a comfort zone.
“After speaking with the gaffer (Jack Ross) and getting a sense for the direction the club wants to go in, this felt like the perfect move.”
Ange attack
As well as winning the Turkish title in 2020, Behich is fiercely proud of his Aussie achievements, including lifting the 2015 Asian Cup and playing all three matches at the 2018 World Cup.
It was current Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou who masterminded the former, while he also guided the Socceroos to Russia 2018 — but quit before the tournament.
“I played a lot of games under Ange and he brought out that attacking side of the game in me,” continued Behich. “That’s where he believes games are won, and he gives you that belief that every player is valuable and everyone can play a part with clear instructions.
“He’s a brilliant manager — he wins titles and plays a brand of football that he believes will win games and entertain supporters.”
However, Graham Arnold is the man currently at the helm of Australia and, having played in the decisive World Cup playoff win over Peru in June, Behich hopes his United form proves sufficient to secure his place on the flight to Qatar 2022.
“After getting the taste of playing all three games at Russia 2018, that just pushes me on,” he added.
“Playing at a World Cup was something I dreamed of doing, watching guys like Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Tim Cahill. To have had that opportunity, with my family in the stands, was special.
“It’s only made me more hungry to see another one.
“But I know that I need do well for Dundee United. The rest comes along with that. That’s how I’ve always looked at it — give 100 per cent for my club, try to help them get positive results, and everything else comes with that.”
Dylan Levitt injury update as Dundee United sweat over ex-Manchester United starlet
Conversation