The Heartwarming Meaning Behind Andrew Redmayne's Iconic Shootout Celebration

The meaning behind Andrew Redmayne's legendary celebration has been revealed – and it's pretty wholesome.

Redmayne became an overnight national icon as his shootout heroics helped Australia book a spot at this year's World Cup in Qatar.

After coming on as substitute in the final minute specifically for the shootout, Redmayne saved the fifth and final spot kick, sending Socceroos fans watching from around the globe into meltdown.

Not only did his antics between the sticks catch people's attention, particularly his rather distracting dance moves, but his hilarious celebration also went viral.

Instead of channelling his inner John Aloisi by ripping his jersey off and wheeling away down the touchline, Redmayne froze on the spot and pulled a cheeky grin before being absolutely mobbed by his Socceroos teammates.

Well, it turns out there's a heartwarming meaning behind it all.

“I must say that was a tribute to our little girl Poppy,” Redmayne's wife Caitlin told Channel Nine's Today Show.

“That face of his that he pulls always lights up her face. I’m pretty sure that was for her, it wasn’t just him pulling that crazy face. That was pretty special. Look at that face, you couldn’t not love it.”

Head coach Graham Arnold's brave decision to bring on Redmayne was initially met with raised eyebrows from viewers.

But the shot-stopper's efforts proved it was the correct call – one that subsequently earns the Socceroos a place at the 2022 World Cup.

“Andrew Redmayne is a very good penalty saver,” Arnold told Channel 10 at full-time.

“And to try to get him to the line on the mental aspect for Peru, that why we were making that change to add that little bit of uncertainty in their brains.

“That’s the reason why.”

And when the call came for Redmayne to get himself ready for a do-or-die penalty shootout, the substitute knew it was coming.

“This ideas was floated pre-selection that this might eventuate in these kind of circumstances,” Redmayne said.

“For the two or three weeks that we’ve been here, I’ve kind of been having that in my mind.

“I’ve been working on a few things at training, but at the end of the day it’s the flip of a coin, it’s either right or left.

“The work has been, the homework has been done and I’m grateful for the other boys who ran out 120 minutes.”