Few young players in the A-League would enjoy better work experience than learning from Milos Ninkovic.
And Cameron Devlin is hoping his day to day interactions with the Serbian magician will help take him to the next level.
Devlin is again expected to be in Steve Corica’s squad for Sydney FC’s first home match of the season at Jubilee Oval against Melbourne Victory on Sunday.
The 20-year-old midfielder has featured in every Sky Blues match day squad since his first team debut in the FFA Cup semi-final victory over Western Sydney in early October.
Devlin has since made his A-League debut, also against the Wanderers, as a late substitute in the round two win at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The former Young Socceroo, from Jannali, was promoted from Sydney FC’s youth team over the winter and rewarded with his first pro deal at the club.
His immediate goal is to keep learning. And he believes he has one of the best teachers going around in 2016-17 Johnny Warren Medal winner Ninkovic.
“Personally I thought it even when I didn’t play with him. Even when I was at a different club I thought he was that different level. For me, he’s the best player in the league,” Devlin told the Leader.
“Words can’t describe it, really. He’s just another level. He just shows you his professionalism, not only on the field but off the field. He’s always in the gym, you’ll always see him after the gym having an ice bath. He’s always doing that little bit extra. And telling me ‘Cam, you’ve got to do this or that’.
“It’s second nature to me to want to do more. But to see someone who is so successful still doing that at his age just spurs you on to bigger and better things. But on the pitch he kind of speaks for himself. He’s just different quality.
“For me something that he’s taught me is to always do extra. He’s always said when we’re not training, when we’ve got a day off, go down the park and do something extra. That for me, from someone who has done what he’s done not only in Australia but overseas for big clubs and played against big players, that he’s still doing extras shows me I’ve got a long way to go and I should definitely be doing it as well.”
Sydney FC are still unbeaten after four rounds of the A-League. Their only defeat so far this campaign came in the FFA Cup final to Adelaide.
And Devlin believes the Sky Blues have the confidence to continue their good start against one of their biggest rivals in the ‘Big Blue’ at Kogarah.
“It’s been quite good. Obviously we had that final that we went down in,” he said.
“But we came back three days later and won 3-0 in Melbourne [against City] which was really good. The boys have done really well, we’re still undefeated in the A-League.
“So you can’t really knock us that much. But we’re doing really well [and] we are confident.”
As for his own development, while minutes on the pitch will be difficult to come by for a young midfield player in a squad featuring the likes of Ninkovic, Brandon O’Neill and Socceroos Josh Brillante and Daniel de Silva, Devlin is adamant he is in the best environment to grow as a player.
“Obviously being at the biggest club in Australia, the club who has had the most success, playing with players like Ninkovic every day, you’re going to learn,” he said.
“I feel like my game has come a long way in only a short period of time. In only about two months I feel like I’ve learnt a whole lot. I’m trying to take that into the little minutes or as many minutes as I get. And I know I’m always going to be ready when my chance comes.
“But as far as my progress, I’ve already made my A-League debut. I didn’t expect that at all but it happened. And now I’m just hungry for more. I just want to build on that.”