Caltex Socceroos debutant Dylan McGowan says his rise from the Reds to the Roos shows the Hyundai A-League can be a platform for ambitious young Aussies who want to work hard.
It’s a good time to be defender Dylan McGowan.
McGowan, 25, made his national team debut in Tuesday night’s friendly loss to Brazil at the MCG.
He's even sharing a room in camp with his brother, fellow Caltex Socceroo Ryan McGowan.
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For the last three years Dylan has been building his career with hometown club Adelaide United after four years in Scottish football.
This form and hard work has seen Dylan McGowan sign for Portuguese outfit Pacos de Ferreira. It's a league that's well regarded and highly technical.
He spoke to reporters after his national team debut about the benefits of playing in the Hyundai A-League.
Platform to develop your career
“Hopefully [his debut] gives a lot of the young players in the A-League a benchmark to look at.
“Jamie Maclaren scored a lot of goals in the A-League and he’s now included [in the Socceroos].
“Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Sainsbury…all these guys have come through the A-League.
That should be the message to all the young boys.
“If you stay in the A-League and play well, the boss is looking there and if they can emulate what some of these [Socceroos] guys have done and go and get 20,30 or 40 caps then they’ll be happy with their career.”
McGowan on his Socceroos’ debut
“Not a result we wanted but on a personal level to debut is the pinnacle of your career. I’m over the moon it’s just a shame about the result.
“Looking back it’s just a lot of hard work to get here [to debut] and I’ll enjoy tonight.
“You always learn a bit more when you lose – especially against a top team like Brazil - defensively and going forward.
“We tried to play our football against the world’s best nation at the moment [number one currently on FIFA rankings].
“It’s a great month to be here [in the national team]. I’m enjoying training and learning a lot.
“This is the best set up I’ve ever been in. I’m just taking it all in. And if I’m needed [in Russia] I’m raring to go.”