North Queensland Fury’s Payne tipped for big things

North Queensland Fury young gun Chris Payne is being tipped for big things by club assistant coach Stuart McLaren.

The 19-year old has begun the 2010/11 A-League season in brilliant fashion with his new club after being let go by Sydney FC and McLaren is of firm belief that he can make it to the very top.

“The sky’s the limit for him. He has the potential to play for his country at the top level. It’s up to him how much he wants it," McLaren told The Word Game.

“Just like Mathew Leckie at Adelaide and his team-mate Isaka Cernak here at the Fury and Mate Dugandzic at Melbourne Victory, he has the potential to go to the very top.

“He needs to keep his feet on the ground in the meantime and he is doing that and he is rewarding the faith we have shown in him.

“The minute you think you have made it is the time you start sliding and I’m sure he won’t let that happen.

“He’s the first one to help out when there’s gear to be carried and bags to be lifted when we travel and that’s a good sign.

“He came here needing to play first team football and we’ve given him that chance,” he added.

“I’m sure Sydney wanted to keep him but he would only have had limited opportunities there and here he’s got the chance to shine ... all he needed was the opportunity and he’s taking it.”