He may be the ultimate World Cup wildcard, but Nikita Rukavytsya insists he is ready to do a job if required for the Socceroos in the next three games.
Rukavytsya was one of the few surprises in Pim Verbeek's final squad of 23, edging out Scott McDonald for the final attacking spot on the roster.
He even featured in a couple of the warm-up games, fuelling expectations that Verbeek could use him, and the X-factor he brings, to surprise Germany, Ghana and/or Serbia over the next few weeks.
For Rukavytsya, the dream of playing in a World Cup is all a bit too much to comprehend at the moment and his focus is on his continuing his development as part of the final squad.
"It’s been unbelievable the past three weeks. To be in this environment with all the boys has been great, training has been tough but I've enjoyed every day of it," the former Perth Glory striker said.
"It doesn’t matter if I get a chance or I don't. I'm just happy to be here. Obviously I’d love to play, but being a part of the team and being part of the environment is unbelievable."
Players on the improve are always dangerous in World Cups and Rukavytsya, who possesses blistering speed as well as height, could find himself thrust into the limelight, much in the same way Josh Kennedy was four years ago.
He says the experience of having played top flight football in Europe, firstly for FC Twente in the Netherlands, and more recently with KSV Roeselare in Belgium, has prepared him for football's ultimate test.
"Since I went to Europe, I think I've developed in every aspect of me game. It’s a different mentality there, it’s much harder and you are on your own there, so you have to train every day and obviously improve on your weaknesses were. I think I've improved a lot," he said.
"The move to Europe and to play at Twente, it’s a great club. I wasn't playing there much, but still training with all those players, it makes you improve. I think it gave me a good chance."
Given his paucity of playing time in the Dutch League, Rukavytsya, in a bid to salvage his World Cup hopes, took the plunge and moved to Belgium on loan in January. It yielded dividends as he found regular playing time and the back of the net.
That experience, he says, has him in good stead for the World Cup.
"I've moved to get more first team football, it’s been going well for me., I played some good games against quality clubs and I'm happy that I've made that move, scored a few goals and obviously gave me chance to be part of the World Cup squad," he said.