The Socceroos' defensive pillar Harry Souttar is shunning speculation about a possible move to the English Premier League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Souttar is ignoring swirls of transfer talk to remain solely focused on Australia's World Cup crunch game against Denmark.
A win over the Danes will send the Socceroos into the cup's knockout stage for just the second time in history.
Souttar was outstanding in Australia's 1-0 win over Tunisia which opens the door to get out of their group.
The Stoke City stopper's value has sky-rocketed but he's not interested in anything other than the clash against the Danes on Wednesday (0200 AEDT Thursday).
"My focus has got to be the here and now," Souttar told reporters.
"If you ask every player, they want to play at the highest level they can.
"But my focus is purely on Denmark and I think I will let other people handle that for me - I don't need to do that, I just need to concentrate on my performances on the pitch."
English second-tier outfit Stoke put a price tag of about $A36 million on Souttar when Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Everton circled last year.
But the 24-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear while on Socceroos duties last November, ruling him out for a year.
His World Cup feats against France and Tunisia have been just his second and third full games at senior level since returning to action.
And Souttar's influential displays have thrilled the Socceroos - and his agent.
"He was just delighted for me ... he was really pleased for me," he said.
"Obviously the messages I have got from family and friends, it's nice to hear from them.
"But I don't think you can pay too much attention to it ... we're one game away from criticism, you've got to take it with a pinch of salt.
"The focus has got to be on Denmark.
"The boss (coach Graham Arnold) said it perfectly after the game: we enjoy, we celebrate with the fans, with friends and family in the stands, but the result will mean nothing if we don't get a result against Denmark."
With reigning champions France (six points) assured of advancing from the group, Australia (three points), Denmark (one point) and Tunisia (one point) are scrapping to join them.
A Socceroos win over the Danes will guarantee progression and a draw will also be enough, provided a red-hot France beat or draw with the unfancied Tunisians.
But Souttar said the Australians were wary of the quality of Denmark, who were semi-finalists at last year's European Championships.
"It's going to be an incredible test," he said.
"It's all on the line for both teams and it's what you play football for, the big moments."
Australian Associated Press
