Coe to learn from his idol

Old stager Mark Schwarzer and new recruit Nathan Coe sat just metres apart in the lobby of the Socceroos' West London hotel - two strangers who represent the present and perhaps future of Australian goalkeeping.

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Long-time Socceroos No.1 Schwarzer is Coe's idol – but the 23-year-old No.2 shot-stopper at FC Copenhagen remains largely unknown to the Middlesbrough keeper.

With Zeljko Kalac no longer snapping at Schwarzer's heels and now safely tucked away in international retirement, the 35-year-old has no serious rivals in sight as the clock ticks down to the start of Australia's bid to qualify for South Africa 2010.

That isn't likely to change anytime soon with twenty-somethings like Coe, Boro’s Brad Jones, Juventus' understudy Jess van Stratten and Reading's Adam Federici yet to nail down first team spots at their clubs.

Coe, who has played just three games this season for a team tied at the top of the Danish first division, was stunned to be called up for the friendly against Nigeria and he aims to capitalise by hovering up every scrap of knowledge he from the Australia's own ‘Special One’.

''I've always idolised Mark,'' says Coe, who arrived at Copenhagen last January after two-and-a-half years of playing second and third fiddle at PSV Eindhoven and Inter Milan before that.

''I've just been introduced to him and it's great. I was really surprised to get a call up especially as I'm number two at my club behind (Danish national team) keeper Jesper Christiansen.''

''This is a great chance to learn from Mark Schwarzer. He's somebody I've always looked up to, the bench mark of Australian goalkeeping.''

''It's my dream to one day play in the Premier League and he's been there for a decade with Middlesbrough already. That says everything.''

''I hope he takes me under his wing, I couldn't ask for anybody better to learn from.''

Coe and Federici are jousting for a spot on the bench against Nigeria, with caretaker coach Rob Baan likely to give the gig to whoever performs best at training over the next 48 hours, though Federici clearly has the inside running.

Coe has trained and played fleetingly alongside maestros like Mark van Bommel, Michael Reiziger, Patrick Kluivert and Phillip Cocu but is growing tired of waiting for his chance to shine.

He's in the midst of talks with Copenhagen - where he is just one of three foreigners allowed on the club's books - for a new three-year deal.

And he is hoping, even preying, that highly-rated former Rangers keeper Christiansen moves on in the January transfer window.

''We're butting heads together, that's the way it is sometimes when you are fighting for one spot,'' said the former Joeys and Young Socceroos custodian.

''It's hard when you're not playing regularly. Coming to Europe you realise how tough it is.''

''When you sign for a club you think that's it and you're on the way but that's only half the battle. It's just the start of it.''

''I'm at an age where I feel I have to play. Sometimes it's hard to be patient.''

That said, Coe is under no illusions about his prospects of earning a debut cap against the Super Eagles.

''I'm just happy to be in camp...anything else is a bonus,'' he added.

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