The Soccer Squirrel Salutes Captain Viduka

The Soccer Squirrel would like to endorse the selection of Mark Viduka as the Socceroos captain for the 2006 World Cup. Congratulations Guus on making the right, though in my mind obvious, selection.

The only challenger for the captaincy was former captain Craig Moore, however his season has been marred by injury. Moore managed only 9 games for Newcastle this season passed and did not feature in the World Cup Qualifiers against Uruguay. In his absence Viduka took the reigns and performed admirably.

Craig Moore, formerly of Glasgow Rangers, is a tough defender who has played directly on Viduka in the impassioned Old Firm derbies in Scotland however he has no hard feelings towards his new Captain.

"The manager has made the decision and the manager believes, and I believe, that it's the best decision for the team," said Moore in his Scottish-Australian accent, "The team will always come first."

While Viduka’s temperament has often been questioned - after going AWOL when he first signed for Celtic, by Middlesbrough fans in a car park earlier this season – he has always answered his critics with goals and he has never shied away from shouldering responsibility. His goals to keep Leeds in the Premier League years ago are evidence of that. So too are his performances in the UEFA Cup quarter and semi-finals this year.

Mark Viduka performs best when the pressure is on and there is no greater pressure than leading your country in a World Cup against Brazil, not that he will be feeling any less pressure in the games against Japan and Croatia.

Now with the Socceroos captaincy, big Dukes appears ready to silence the nay-sayers who question his scoring record for his country. The pressure is on and the Soccer Squirrel predicts the boy will perform.

Mark Viduka, congratulations and good luck!