RYAN McGOWAN jetted back home to Australia in the early hours of this morning bearing a grin as wide as the South Pacific.
The defender can expect a welcome befitting a returning hero in his native Adelaide after debuting for Hearts against Gretna.
His first competitive appearance came, by McGowan's own admission, earlier than expected at the age of 18. Strolling conf
idently around the Fir Park pitch, he knew global time difference meant it was the middle of the night Down Under.
But he was also aware that Mr and Mrs McGowan would employ the ProPlus if necessary to stay awake and hear commentary of their son's debut via the official Hearts website.
Today they greeted him back on home soil with all concerned harbouring palpable satisfaction.
McGowan's parents are Glasgow-born ex-pats and, ever since seeing him recruited by Hearts from Para Hills Knights two years ago, have longed for him to establish himself in their homeland. For many Scots, football will always be life, even on the other side of the planet.
McGowan spoke to the Evening News to convey his own emotions before boarding his flight to Australia, where he will enjoy a five-week summer break.
He believed a knee injury sustained last month would have season-ending connotations, so was therefore surprised and proud to replace Marius Zaliukas in the second half against Gretna.
"When that happened I thought that was it for me this season," he said. "I was given a recovery period of five to six weeks but I was able to start training early as the knee healed. I was left out of the squad for Falkirk and that narrowed it down to two games, Kilmarnock and Gretna. It was the Gretna one I was looking at realistically.
"I realised I had to play a game. I played against Hibs in the East of Scotland Shield last week so I wanted a chance against Gretna. Stevie (Frail) said he would try to get me on but it would depend on how the game was going.
"Marius went down with a head knock so a couple of us went out to warm up. Then I was called back. It was a great feeling knowing I was making my debut but I was more worried about making sure I did well."
He needn't have fretted. His meandering run from defence on 79 minutes was probably Hearts' only highlight during a lifeless 1-0 defeat. McGowan showed admirable ball control by skilfully dodging several opposition tackles to send a defence-splitting pass through to Larry Kingston.
"It wasn't something I planned. I just went past one and another one came, then another one," he said. "I was worried about losing the ball but things opened up in front of me and I played Larry in. I think we were unlucky not to score from the move.
"I really just want the season to keep going now that I've played for the first team. I'm ahead of schedule in that way. I thought once I came out of the under-19s, I'd start pushing through, but I'd say I'm about half a season ahead of where I thought I'd be. I'm too old to play under-19s after this season but I've already played for the first team.
"The break will be good for me because I can rest and come back raring to go for pre-season. I want to make sure I'm more involved next season. Everyone's delighted at home, it's just a shame the game wasn't televised. I'll try to get a hold of some footage and have it sent over.
"Mum and Dad are both Glaswegians so they know about Hearts and the Scottish game. Dave McPherson and my agent in Australia (Lou Sticca) knew Hearts were looking for a centre-back so myself and Rocky Visconte came over and had a trial a couple of years ago. We were signed up not long after."
Since then, McGowan has gone from strength to strength. The Australian Under-20 international was named Hearts' Under-19 Player of the Year this season, during which he took on the captaincy of the youth side. Coaching staff at Riccarton extol his leadership credentials and professionalism and believe they are rearing a future club captain.
An additional string to the teenager's bow is his versatility. "I think I'm a bit more effective in central midfield than centre-back because I can get on the ball a bit more and do a bit more attacking. I've played in both positions for the under-19s, it depends on what type of game we're in.
"You'll find anywhere that there are two main players in the centre-back roles. Here it's Christos Karipidis and Christophe Berra, they've got those spots nailed down so as a centre-back it's hard to break into the team. Unless someone's injured or makes a bad mistake, defenders rarely get taken off.
"I'm thinking my chance might come through centre mid, but then we've got Ruben Palazuelos and Fernando Screpis who have both done well this season. There's others there like Eggert Jonsson, who is a big player for someone like me to look up to. He left the under-19s last year and established himself in the first team."
Jonsson would indeed be the perfect role model to follow. To borrow his Riccarton nickname, expect Gowser to grow to similar stature next season.
The full article contains 920 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
