It's mine: Andrew Nabbout in control against the Wanderers. Photo: Anthony Johnson
MELBOURNE Victory is set to offer teenage scoring sensation Andrew Nabbout a full-time professional contract in a bid to snuff out interest from rival A-League clubs.
Nabbout, who turns 20 next month, is playing as an amateur having been promoted from Victory's youth league squad into the first team.
The teenager, an engineering student, is in talks with the club to sign a contract which would put him off limits from other clubs that could offer him a professional deal during the transfer window.
''We are negotiating with him on a deal which could be for a couple of seasons,'' Victory chief executive Richard Wilson said on Tuesday.
''We would like to get something completed. Ange [Postecoglou, Victory's coach], sees potential in him. He's done very well in the games he has played in and he's a bright young talent.''
Meanwhile, Victory midfielder Billy Celeski believes he is getting into the kind of groove he did three seasons ago when he broke into the Socceroos squad for an Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Jakarta.
The 27-year-old has endured a harrowing three injury-plagued seasons when he has displayed glimpses of his technical ability only to be consistently let down by his body.
Celeski even managed to sustain a hamstring injury before the kick-off to this season.
Still, given Victory's first two games ended in losses, that might have been to his advantage.
He came into the team for the first win of the campaign at home to Adelaide and has cemented a starting spot since.
''I have had so many injuries and problems in these last two seasons,'' he said on Tuesday. ''It has been hard sometimes but I have just kept working hard and believing in myself and giving myself every chance to get fit.
''I have really enjoyed playing regularly again and have developed a good partnership with Mark Milligan in midfield. We both play deeper roles as screeners, with players like Marcos Flores and Gui Finkler in front and Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas in wide areas.''
Postecoglou is Celeski's fourth coach in his time at Victory and he says his new boss' commitment to playing soccer and trying to win every match is the sort of pressure players who want to play at successful clubs should thrive on.
''When we had 10 men last weekend against West Sydney he wanted us to go out and win the game, not go for a draw,'' Celeski said.
''He wanted us to send a statement to the rest of the competition that we are here to win the league.
''Ange makes things very clear and that's the sort of pressure that comes with playing for a team like Victory.
''We have had success in the past and we are always expected to be contenders.''
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