'Can't believe what I'm seeing': Fans in frenzy over Socceroos 'monster'
When Harry Souttar was growing up in Scotland there was a poster of Australian striker Mark Viduka on his wall.
Little did that boy know years later he'd not only be playing for the Socceroos but he's fast closing in on Viduka's goal tally for the national team.
The 20-year-old centre-back backed up his goalscoring debut last week against Nepal with a second-half double as Australia cruised past Chinese Taipei 7-1 in Kaohsiung on Tuesday.
It means after two games for the Socceroos, Souttar is now just eight goals behind Viduka's tally of 11 for the national team.
"If you'd said to me before the trip this would happen I wouldn't believe you," Souttar told AAP.
"So for me to come here and just be able to play is just amazing.
"To get the two wins and the goals, as a centre-half, is a little added bonus."
Souttar's goal tally could be even better, with a second effort in the 5-0 win over Nepal in Canberra officially put down as an own-goal.
It's a decision that clearly doesn't sit well with the 198cm defender.
'The Nepal one is being contested," he said.
"I've told the media guys to contest it because I still think it was my goal but obviously the two today were clear, there's no doubt.
"I'm absolutely delighted."
Fans go wild over Socceroos ‘monster’
Souttar will now return to English League One club Fleetwood Town before rejoining his new international teammates for a crucial away clash against Jordan in Amman next month.
And despite his goalscoring heroics, it's his defensive duties that Souttar is eager to improve before that next month, especially as he builds his partnerships with international teammates such as Milos Degenek and Bailey Wright.
"The more you train, the more you play together, the more you get used to each other," he said.
"It's obviously first time playing with them both.
"I think it went well, they're good communicators, they're leaders so I'm only going to learn off them two to benefit my career."
Ok so Harry Souttar, a 198cm centre back, has now scored 4 goals in his first two Socceroo games. Regardless of the level of opposition, I still can’t believe what I’m seeing #TPEvAUS #WhoNeedsAStriker
— Adam Parker (@AdamParker___) October 15, 2019
Forget C. Ronaldo reaching 700 career goals with Portugal, Harry Souttar is the most prolific goalscorer in interntaional football at the moment.
— R. C. Doig (@RCDoig_Official) October 15, 2019
Stat alert: If Harry Souttar keeps scoring at a rate of two goals per international, he'll need only 9 more games to draw level with Daniel Passarella (22 goals). #defenderswhoscore @Socceroos
— Dan Colasimone (@DanColasimone) October 15, 2019
#TPEvAUS Mate, Harry Souttar is a monster. Valuable man to have around for set pieces, because he's about 900 feet tall
— BONZAAA (@GFish132) October 15, 2019
🇦🇺 Harry Souttar now has 4 goals in his first 2 games for Australia.
Reminder, he’s a centre-back and before last week - he’d never even been to Australia before. 🦘 pic.twitter.com/Iv5jA6uGbG— FotMob (@FotMob) October 15, 2019
Tim Cahill: I’m the best header of the ball the Socceroos have ever had.
Harry Souttar: Hold my bagpipes.#TPEvAUS— Brayden May (@braydenmaysport) October 15, 2019