McGowan close to Socceroos dream

McGowan plays for Hearts in the Scottish Premier League with Easter Road being the home ground of his club's bitter cross-town rival, Hibernian.

"Every time I have gone there, I have not been well liked or well supported, so it is not going to be any different on Wednesday night," he said.

"But it is something I am really looking forward to."

Not that he holds bad memories of the ground - it was the scene of his first senior goal.

The chances of the right-sided full-back playing for the Socceroos for the first time have improved after the withdrawal of Chris Herd with a quad strain.

With Luke Wilkshire able to play higher up the park for the national team and Jade North sidelined, only Rhys Williams seemingly stands between McGowan and a start on his 23rd birthday.

McGowan enjoyed a breakthrough season for Hearts in its last campaign, playing a key role with his relentless running in the club's 5-1 drubbing of Hibs in the Scottish FA Cup final.

The Australian under-23s player is also keen to kill off any lingering questions about his national allegiance.

McGowan's parents are Scottish and the vast majority of his relatives still live there.

Scottish media has been keen to talk up his roots and Scotland coach Craig Levein has said he had been on his radar.

"It is funny in football how things turn out," McGowan said.

"There was a bit of chat about Scotland being interested in me.

"I have always said that Australia was my choice. That is where I was born and have grown up and played all my junior football."

World No.46 Scotland was pumped 5-1 by USA in Florida in May.

Australia has not played Scotland since 2000 when a side under Frank Farina notched up a 2-0 win in Glasgow - Brett Emerton and David Zdrilic getting the goals.

Kick-off against Scotland is scheduled for Thursday 16 August at 5am (AEST).

Osieck is using the friendly to prepare for the final round of the 2014 World Cup Asian Qualifiers, when his side will play Jordan next month and Iraq in October.