By Michael Lynch in Dushanbe and Tajikistan
Over the past decade Tim Cahill has played in front of some of Australia's best-ever midfielders, but he believes a man who has barely pulled on the national team shirt could go on to be as good as one of the greats of the golden generation, Mark Bresciano.
Cahill is adamant that former Brisbane Roar player Luke Brattan - a non-playing member of the squad against Bangladesh and Tajikistan - could go on to share the same status as the now-retired Bresciano.
Cahill is adamant about the potential of former Brisbane Roar player Luke Brattan.Credit: Getty Images
"Our midfield is fully stacked, it's the most exciting thing of our team," Cahill said after the win over Tajikistan in Dushanbe earlier this week.
But it is Brattan who he rates as a standout prospect.
"In training alone looking at Brats I am excited about him. I know for a fact that he has got it. This is a player who has got a style of control and passing similar to Bresh. You guys might think that's a big comment. But I think give it some time and this kid will be making some noises," Cahill told journalists.
He was also full of praise for Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy, who started both games and took a giant step towards proving he was capable of playing at international level on a regular basis.
"I have always been a fan of him. He's a box-to-box midfielder, he can pass, he has set plays, he's a very complete footballer. We are lucky these games have come up where he can show what he can do.
"The midfield especially is very mobile, you see the ball moving. Millsy [Mark Milligan] the grinder that can do anything. Tommy Rogic, Lecks [Mathew Leckie] is a machine, we had Burnsy [Nathan Burns] in the last game."
Brattan recently quit the financially challenged Roar and is now looking to seal a move to Europe as an uncontracted player.
"Brats is going to be more than fine. I have had a few conversations with him. A lot of these footballers that I train with and talk to, the main thing is their professionalism. I know he will be more than fine with the next decision he makes. He will be sought after.
"I was saying to the boss [Ange Postecoglou, the Socceroo coach], just the way he plays is nice to watch. It's good to see promising players. It's a massive loss for the A-League and Brisbane Roar, but he's ready to step up for the big time."