Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic has hailed the class of Socceroos central defender Matthew Spiranovic after his successful return to A-League action.
Playing his first game in five weeks, the 30-year-old was a composed and commanding figure in the Glory's 3-0 win over Central Coast in Gosford on Sunday.
The victory gave Perth a six-point lead with just three rounds remaining.
The battling Mariners tried desperately to prise open Perth's obdurate defence, playing numerous crosses and passes into the penalty area.
However Spiranovic and his colleagues defused most of the danger and allowed their opponents just a few sniffs at goal.
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Spiranovic has played in just 11 of the Glory's 24 league games this season, returning in December after more than a year out with hip problems.
The Glory has given up just six goals, kept six clean sheets and only once conceded more than one goal in the matches he has played.
Socceroo and Glory defender Matthew Spiranovic has had a massive impact in the games he's played for Perth this season.Credit:Eddie Jim
Conversely, they have let in 16 goals in the 13 games he didn't play.
"He is a classy player, that's exactly what he is," Popovic said of Spiranovic.
"He's been out for five weeks, so you could see at the end he was finding the conditions quite tough.
"We've tried to nurse him along in this little period and not force him back, and he showed his quality tonighRead More – Source
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