Adam Taggart is refusing to get carried away with dreams of reclaiming the mantle as the Socceroos’ main front man after sparkling form catapulted him back into the national team set-up.
Taggart has been on fire with Perth Glory, registering 15 goals in 19 games in the A-League Men this season, earning a recall to Graham Arnold’s Australia squad for the first time in 18 months.
While Mitchell Duke is likely to start up top in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Lebanon at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium, Arnold’s long-term frontline remains up in the air.
Bruno Fornaroli is 36, Duke will be 35 by the time the next World Cup rolls around and Jamie Maclaren’s club form has led to him falling out of the squad altogether.
Taggart, 30, offers Arnold an experienced head who may remain in the picture come 2026.
But the Perth striker says he can’t allow himself to get distracted by hopes of re-establishing himself as the Socceroos’ main man.
“It’s fantastic to be called up because I thought my ship had sailed,” Taggart told AAP.
“There’s always the opportunity to do that (stake my claim).
“But for me I want to focus on this camp and the next few days at training is the biggest thing for me.
"When you focus on the right things, good things usually follow.
“I’ll get my head down, work hard, and see what happens.”
Taggart was a regular under Arnold before a knee issue curtailed his involvement in Australia’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
But the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd in Parramatta or at next Tuesday’s qualifier in Canberra is something Taggart is relishing.
Across his 16 caps for Australia, only one of those appearances has been on home soil.
“It’s the story of my international career,” Taggart said.
“I was mainly in and out due to injuries so it’s always been a little bit up and down for me.
“But finding a routine (at Perth) has allowed me to work out what’s best for me and that has helped me.
“I've always gone on a roll when I'm happy and enjoying my football.”
