How Cam Devlin went from short kid coaches underestimated to Socceroos World Cup enforcer

Devlin is one of the Socceroos’ World Cup bolters. He’s off to Qatar because he’s never let anyone dictate what he should be. Flying into tackles, making life impossible for opponents. Hundred miles an hour. No fear.

Home fans love him. Away fans hate him.

And yet, when Devlin’s phone buzzed on Monday afternoon in Edinburgh during a day off from training with club Hearts, the facade crumbled in a quarter of an hour. It was Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.

“Arnie sent me a text, can I call in 15 minutes,” Devlin tells CODE Sports.

“It was probably the longest 15 minutes of my life, then eventually he called.”

‘What are you doing next week? Congrats, you’re in,’ Arnold told Devlin, who turned into a blubbering mess.

“Like to say I’m a tough guy and don’t cry that much but if there’s ever a moment to shed a tear, it’s when you are picked for a World Cup for the first time,” Devlin says.

The reflex action was to call home at 1am Sydney time. Parents Andrew and Jackie had left the phone off silent for one reason.

“We all had a big cry session on the phone. Such a special moment,” Devlin says.

“They supported me when trying to make it. It’s as much their success; [they’ve] given so much of their time and lives up just being the best parents I could possibly ask for.”

Devlin grew up in Sydney’s southern shire and went from Western Sydney youth to Sydney FC youth. After the call to his parents, dad Andrew sent back a message with photos of Devlin from 2018, when the World Cup was on in Russia.

Devlin was playing for Sydney FC’s youth team, bouncing around cold, empty suburban grounds chasing what most won’t reach.

After adding craft to the graft, Devlin got his big chance in the A-League Men’s with Wellington Phoenix, then with the Olyroos at the Tokyo Olympics and now Hearts.

“It literally comes down to working hard to achieve your dreams,” Devlin says.

Hearts are one of Scotland’s bigger clubs. Home games are at Tynecastle, within full view of Edinburgh Castle. Devlin’s old-school ways of breaking up play with ferocious intent are appreciated.

It is no surprise that as a kid, Devlin mixed football with rugby league.

Yet some junior coaches in the world game couldn’t get past the first impression.

‘Gee, this kid is small.’

“Plenty of coaches would never look at me just because of my height,” says Devlin, who topped out at 170cm.

“But I think as a smaller player you have to show no fear, not be afraid to get amongst it.”

Which is what he’s been doing this season for Hearts, catapulting him into Socceroos calculations after not playing a part in any of the qualifiers.

The routine at club level has been relentless. Weekend game, midweek game, weekend game again, for three months. Helter-skelter Scottish league matches have been mixed with European contests in the UEFA Conference League, where brains and technique prosper.

It’s been a perfect mix for Devlin to sharpen all his attributes. He’s not just a defensive meat axe. With the ball, Devlin is able to keep it simple and keep it moving.

All of which has made him a Hearts crowd favourite.

“It’s full-on, frantic, high-paced and a lot different to back home with the fans‘ side of it,” Devlin says.

“To them, it’s like a religion. They live and breathe it.”

Devlin has occasionally gone overboard. Early last month, he flew studs-up into a challenge on Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo to earn the reddest of red cards. Devlin knew he had erred, though the tackle wasn’t malicious.

“I made a mistake against Rangers and copped it off their fans,” Devlin says.

“But I feel so lucky to be able to play for Hearts, super grateful to them and absolutely loving life over here.

“Fans here aren’t coming to watch a football game, they’re coming to support the club they love. You have to wear that, make it mean as much to you as it does those fans.”

Devlin served his time, and has got straight back into rhythm.

He is the epitome of what Arnold wants from the Socceroos in Qatar.

No fear. Relentless intent.

Others might look bigger and better.

Sheer will, though, can never be overrated.