McGowan only has eyes for Australia after first call-up

By ALAN TEMPLE
Published on 09/08/2012 00:19

Hearts player Ryan McGowan has expressed his delight at receiving a maiden senior Australia call-up and, at the same time, insisted he never had any intention of pursuing an international future with Scotland.

The 22-year-old has been named in Holger Osieck’s 20-man squad to face the Scots at Easter Road on 15 August. Should he feature against Craig Levein’s men in Leith it will be the versatile Hearts player’s first senior cap, having represented the Socceroos at every level from under-17. McGowan is thrilled by the prospect of making his senior bow in the country of his Glaswegian parents’ birth, in his adopted city and on his 23rd birthday.

“I am delighted with the call-up and really looking forward to the game,” said McGowan, whose selection comes just days after Scotland manager Levein confessed he was seriously considering the Hearts man for a place in November’s squad for the friendly with Luxembourg. Adelaide-born McGowan says turning his back on his nation was never an option. When asked whether Australia was the only country he was interested in representing, he continued: “Yes, exactly. I think it was other people who brought up all the stuff about Scotland. I have always said that I want to play for Australia and I am lucky that I have that chance.”

Osieck has recalled former Celtic striker Scott McDonald for the trip to Edinburgh. The 28-year-old Middlesbrough forward has not scored in 25 appearances for the Socceroos, and has not featured since being overlooked for the 2010 World Cup finals. With Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill both unavailable, and several other senior players recovering from injuries, Osieck has opted for some experimentation ahead of the next batch of World Cup qualifiers. Heracles Almelo’s Jason Davidson gets a chance along with McGowan.