Perth Glory coach Stephen Peters has lauded the versatility and team-first attitude of young star Tijan McKenna, admitting he is unsure of her definitive best position on the pitch.
McKenna's Adaptability Proves Crucial for Glory
The 21-year-old, who returned to the club from Melbourne City as a central midfielder, excelled as a full-back during the previous campaign. With first-choice centre-back Naomi Chinnama sidelined until early February due to an ankle injury, Peters has also deployed McKenna in the heart of defence.
While the transition had some early challenges during losses to Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory, McKenna has since become a key figure in Perth's current three-game winning streak at home. Peters expressed satisfaction with her adaptation to the new role.
"I actually don't know what her best position is. She's good at all three and it's what's best for the team at that particular time," Peters stated.
He added that refining minor lapses in her game would elevate McKenna to a first-class player. "If Tijan gets the little mishaps out of her game... she's a first-class player, first-class athlete. We've got a lot of respect for her in the team," he said.
A Selfless Approach Amid Positional Changes
The coach acknowledged that shifting McKenna across three different positions this season was not ideal and could be frustrating for the player. However, he praised her mature outlook.
"She's not overly thrilled she gets chopped and changed every week. It's a little bit frustrating for her, but she's seeing the big picture, which is putting the team first," Peters explained.
He noted a silver lining: the defensive role has allowed McKenna to build stronger on-field connections with WA teammates like midfielder Georgia Cassidy and full-back Grace Johnston.
Badawiya Ruled Out, Squad Depth Praised
In team news, Peters confirmed that forward and top-scorer Rola Badawiya will miss Friday night's home clash against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Sam Kerr Football Centre. Badawiya sat out last weekend's 1-0 win over Newcastle with a quad injury.
"We're going to keep her out of this game, we're not happy with the progress on it. We don't want it to turn into a big thing," Peters said, expressing hope for her return the following week.
The coach attributed the team's improved form over the past month to resilience and a tight-knit squad culture. He highlighted the critical contributions from the broader playing group when called upon.
"The pleasing thing is it doesn't matter who's in and out of the team, they're all bringing that to the table," Peters said, specifically mentioning players like Clancy Westaway and Mischa Anderson for stepping up when starting.
