Jets striker Adam Taggart says the opportunity to reunite with Gary van Egmond was a big factor in him moving to Newcastle.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets striker Adam Taggart says the opportunity to reunite with Jets head coach Gary van Egmond was a big factor in him moving to Newcastle.
Taggart worked with van Egmond at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2009 and 2010 and he said the opportunity to once again link up with his former mentor was too good to pass up.
“Obviously knowing Gary from being at the AIS with him was a big plus,” Taggart said.
“I-m hoping to continue to improve and I think being under him will be a big thing that will help me.”
Taggart trained with his new teammates for the first time on Monday, and the 18-year-old said he was already starting to feel settled in his new environment.
“It-s always good to have the first session and I knew a lot of the boys anyway from the start, but it was really good,” he said.
During his two seasons at Perth Glory Taggart made 10 A-League appearances, including two starts. He scored his first A-League goal on his starting debut against Gold Coast United in 2010/11.
Having competed with the likes of Robbie Fowler, Billy Mehmet and Shane Smeltz for the starting striker positions in Perth, Taggart is well aware of what it takes to earn a spot in the line-up of an A-League team each week.
“Everyone is going to be competing for positions and that-s something I want to be a part of,” Taggart said.
“I knew the people that Gary was signing and the culture he-s trying to bring to the Club so that was a big positive I thought.
“Hopefully being under him before I sort of understand what he wants and obviously I-ll try to continue to do that and improve to suit his game plan.”
