Ryan Edwards was disappointed to miss out on the Australia squad for the vital World Cup qualifying play-offs against Syria, but he is determined to give his all for Partick Thistle in order to realise his dream of making it to Russia.

The Aussie midfielder has been on the fringes of the Socceroos’ squad for some time now, forcing his way into contention with consistently fine displays in the Scottish Premiership.

And he is now praying not only that Australia progress through two play-off rounds to make it to the greatest stage of them all, but that he can push his way to the forefront of Ange Postecoglou’s thoughts before next summer.

“It’s a difficult one because since March I’ve maybe been overlooked, but I’m still on the radar,” Edwards said.

“It’s a bit frustrating and disappointing, because it’s my aim to get there and I’d love to be involved, but at the moment the coach is not looking my way. I’ll just keep trying to play well for Thistle and do my part for the team.

“Hopefully Australia can do well in the two games coming up and qualify for the World Cup so that I can look forward to trying to get into the squad for Russia.

“They have the home and away leg against Syria, and after that they play a CONCACAF team if they get through. At the moment that would be the USA or Panama.

“The selection mantra is based on fitness and form whatever level you are at.

“I think my fitness and form speak for themselves over the past two seasons, but it’s the same for a number of players and the way the midfield is at the moment, it’s such a strong area of the squad that it’s really difficult to get in.

“It’s there in the back of my mind and it’s within touching distance to get in, but I just have to keep up the appearances and the form and hopefully it will come.”

Edwards’ position on the field may count against him, with the midfield area the strongest part of the Australia squad.

But he takes inspiration from players in the current set-up who came to Scotland, some of whom did well and others, like Huddersfield’s Aaron Mooy, who struggled in the Scottish top-flight when at St Mirren.

“There’s a lot of boys in the team I can look up to, and Aaron Mooy is one of them,” he said.

“I’ve said before that I can look to Jackson Irvine, who has got a good move to Hull now, and the likes of Massimo Luongo and Mile Jedinak, who has a great story behind him made it to the Premier League.

“They are all players that have come to Europe and have stuck it out to earn their rewards in the long run, and that’s something I’d like to do as well.

“That’s just the midfielders, there are other quality players in the team as well, so it’s really difficult to get in at the moment.”

For now, Edwards must watch from afar, but the time difference is making it difficult for him to even keep tabs on his country’s progress.

“The way it’s worked out so far, I’ve been training when the games have been on,” he said.

“But I always watch the highlights and speak to a few of the boys there.

“I’ll definitely be watching the Syria games if I get the chance.”