Jackson Irvine has played for the Socceroos in 3 World Cups. He's played for Celtic, Hull City, Hibs, FC St. Pauli and is now getting at taste of the J-League with Cerezo Osaka. He's a box-to-box midfielder of the type that isn't so common anymore. And he definitely knows what it takes to make it as a footballer and avoid the 'failed' label.

He tells OlanTekkers how he made it, how he got through countless trials with European clubs and how Japanese football compares to the German, Scottish and English style of play.

Plus, his life outside football and what he gets up to: DJing, fashion and learning Japanese. If you're wondering how the A-League compares to European leagues, or what you need to do to get to the top of football anywhere in the world, this is the conversation for you.

In this episode:

00:00 Jackson Irvine on Life in Japan & the J.League

01:10 Culture Shock: Germany vs Japan

02:14 Learning Japanese & Language Barriers

03:59 J.League vs Bundesliga: Which League Is Better?

05:39 Why Japanese Players Are So Technical

07:03 Jackson Irvine's Journey from Victoria to Celtic

10:05 Does Australian Football Let Talents Slip Through the Cracks?

12:03 How Jackson Irvine Earned a Celtic Contract at 16

15:00 What Is Australia's Football Identity?

16:58 Why This Socceroos Generation Is Different

20:02 Jackson Irvine Reflects on the FIFA World Cup

23:51 Do Australians Only Care About the Socceroos During World Cups?

26:41 The Most Underrated Socceroo Ever? 28:46 Football, Fashion & Jackson Irvine's Style

29:52 Jackson Irvine's Music Career & Radio Show

31:01 Why Footballers Need Passions Outside the Game

32:39 Brazil, the Socceroos & What's Next for Jackson Irvine

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Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.