Gulum on the radar

The World Game can reveal the Turkish Football Federation is set to hold talks on Tuesday with the Besiktas centre-back about him representing his parents’ birth nation.

Turkey national team assistant Oguz Cetin contacted Gulum on Saturday night about the clash with World Cup runner-up Netherlands, which falls on the same date as Australia’s match with Egypt.

It is believed Turkey coach Guus Hiddink sounded out Besiktas trainer Bernd Schuster about having Gulum ready for international duty.

But, despite such developments, Gulum – who played twice for the Olyroos – could yet still represent Australia at senior level.

The versatile defender, who can also play at left-back, has held his place in Besiktas’ first XI, starting in the previous three outings – in the domestic cup competition, league and Europa League respectively – has made no secret of his desire to pull on the green and gold.

“I think I’ve reached that level in my football career at the moment where I’m good enough to play for Australia," Gulum recently told The World Game.

"All I can do is get game time at Besiktas, which I’ve started to do now.

“There’s not one bone in my body that has a doubt that I want to play for any other country but Australia,” he added.

Gulum arrived at Besiktas on a one-year loan deal from second division side Adanaspor in the northern summer, after initially being linked with Istanbul giant Galatasaray.

He is expected to start in Besiktas’ match against basement side Kasimpasa on Monday tonight (Tuesday morning AEDT).