Derby delight as on-fire Jeggo gives Arnold an Asian Cup reminder

Socceroos midfielder James Jeggo provided a boost to his AFC Asian Cup hopes with a starring performance as Austria Wien signed off for the winter break with a 6-1 slaying of Rapid in the Vienna derby.

James Jeggo celebrates a goal for Austria Wien Source: Getty Images

Jeggo, who made a long-awaited bow for Australia in last month’s 3-0 win over Lebanon, is in a rich vein of form for the club he joined mid-year, securing man of the match honours, a goal and an assist overnight.

He also picked up a yellow card as his club’s biggest win in 50 years over their old enemy took them to fourth on the ladder, within two points of the top spot.

Jeggo’s all-action performance will have only enhanced his prospects of being named in coach Graham Arnold’s squad on Wednesday for Australia’s title defense in the UAE next month.

With Aaron Mooy likely out for the tournament with a medial ligament injury, and Mile Jedinak having retired from international football, Jeggo, 26, suddenly finds himself in the mix with the likes of Massimo Luongo, Jackson Irvine and Mustafa Amini for the No.6 and No.8 midfield spots.

After flirting around the periphery of the squad under Ange Postecoglou, he will never have a better chance of forcing the issue, with Arnold all too aware of what he might bring to the table.

Vienna-born Jeggo replaced Amini in the 74th minute of the victory against Lebanon in Sydney, slotting comfortably into the system being put in place by Arnold, whose depth will be tested in January.

Deployed in attacking midfield roles during his time in the A-League with Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United, Jeggo has been transformed into a No.6 in Austria, first at Sturm Graz and now Austria Wien.