McGowan dreaming of Socceroos call

The 22-year-old Hearts utility, with the Tartan background, showed his love for his country by draping himself in an Australian flag after playing an integral part in his club's historic 5-1 Scottish Cup final demolition of local foe Hibernian at Hampden Park in May.

McGowan scored Hearts' fourth goal to cap off a wonder day and is now firmly on the radar of Australia coach Holger Osieck, with Socceroos sources confirming the German is impressed with his ability to operate anywhere across the back four and even in midfield.

That could mean a first senior cap for McGowan when the Socceroos face Scotland in his adopted hometown of Edinburgh in August.

"There has never been any doubt in my mind that Australia is the country I want to represent. I've always wanted to play for the senior national team," McGowan said.

"It's been a dream and I'm hoping that if I keep working hard it will happen one day.

"There has been a lot of newspaper talk in Scotland, based on the fact that I'm from a Scottish background and of course the fact I play my football in SPL, that I would be approached to play for the Scottish team.

"I was asked through a third party if that was a possibility last year. But there is only one country I want to play for - and that's Australia. It would be a dream come true to be involved in the Socceroos' qualifying campaign for Brazil."

Born and raised in Adelaide to Scottish parents, McGowan has represented Australia at every junior level.

"I know we have great players in every position but I feel I'm coming off good season with Hearts - winning the cup was an incredible moment in my career - and I have something to build on going forward into the pre-season," he said.

"Maybe my versatility is a good thing. I can play across the back four. I've played mostly at right-back for Hearts last season and I can also do a job in midfield, so I can slot in just about anywhere.

"Probably, if you pinned me down I'd be most comfortable at centre-back."

That raises possibilities for the Socceroos with skipper Lucas Neill, 34, and the ever dependable Sasa Ognenovski, 32, in the vintage class and the seemingly inevitable coronation of Matthew Spiranovic as an heir apparent on hold due to a shaky performance in the recent friendly against Denmark and not enough game time for his Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds.

McGowan, who has been in Edinburgh since the age of 16, is out of contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a number of English Championship clubs.

But his loyalties appear to lie with Hearts.

"I am happy and settled in Scotland and I hope I can land another deal with Hearts," he said.

"I'll have to see what the club wants to do but I certainly want to give them the first option because they are the club that gave me a start, they believed in me and I'm not inclined to walk away from them.

"I would love to remain there for another couple of years and hopefully improve my game further and keep learning. I am already a lot better player now than I was 12 months ago."

Brother Dylan, who spent last season with now defunct Gold Coast United, is also back at Tynecastle and hoping to join his brother in the senior side soon.