An Australian invasion is occurring in Scotland and no, Mel Gibson hasn’t slapped on the blue face paint again for a Braveheart sequel.
Unlike Gibson’s terrible Scottish accent, the Scottish have something to cheer about this time, as a Socceroo contingent battles away at Hearts of Midlothian FC.
The Scottish Premier League has become a favoured battleground for Australian talent. Seven players who will feature in Graham Arnold’s squad to face Ecuador in the coming week play for Scottish clubs. This number was set to drop following a recent injury to Celtic star Aaron Mooy, but Ryan Strain of St Mirren FC has been called up to replace him.
Mooy, Keanu Baccus and Aziz Behich are established members of the Socceroos’ Scottish invasion, but the future arguably lies with a clan of four Hearts’ players.
The Edinburgh club has more Socceroos squad members than any other, with Nathaniel Atkinson, Cameron Devlin and Kye Rowles, all 24 or younger and signed on permanent contracts. The 18-year-old wonder-kid, Garang Kuol, who became the youngest player since Pele to feature at a World Cup, is also at the club, on loan from Newcastle United.
Garang Kuol poses for photographs at St. James Park. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Rowles, who started every game at centre-back in Australia’s World Cup campaign, saw the side keep a clean sheet against Tunisia and Denmark, seeing them through to the round of 16 for only the second time ever. While his centre-back partner, Harry Souttar’s performances were William Wallace-esque, throwing his body on the line for the greater good of the team, Rowles’ supporting role in maintaining the two vital clean sheets should not be understated.
Since the World Cup, Rowles and Devlin have been regular starters for Hearts and contributed to wins over local rivals Hibernian earlier this year. Nathan Atkinson has established himself as an off-the-bench battler at the club while Kuol has struggled to find form after failing to score in eight appearances.
The teenager shouldn’t worry over this lack of playing time just yet, as Graham Arnold recently described his preference for players developing their game aboard. The Australian coach described the A-League’s 26-game season as short and undesirable for developing talent, in a recent ABC interview. At the same time, he singled out the appeal of the Scottish league’s 40+ game season for emerging players wanting game experience.
The Ecuador friendlies come at a perfect time for the emerging Hearts players to prove their Scottish experience is paying off. With Rowles locking in his place as a Socceroos’ regular, Devlin is poised to play more minutes in midfield following Aaron Mooy’s injury.
Kye Rowles is loving life in Scotland. (Photo by Ryan Pierse – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Atkinson will be looking to put the past behind him as his only appearance at the World Cup came in the 4-1 shellacking by France. Despite Kuol’s Hearts troubles, he’s also likely to pick up minutes this week allowing him the opportunity to revitalise his season.
While the home coming tour is set to feature a team that gives the crowd what they want in the form of established Socceroo stars, Arnold will also be looking to expose new players as he begins another four-year cycle. The chance to find themselves at the future heart of the team is there for the young men currently plying their trade at Heart of Midlothian.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
In all likelihood, just sixth spot remains up for grabs as we approach the final three rounds of A-League action in season 2023/24 and…
Not only did Erling Haaland's header hit the bar, but Bernardo Silva missed the rebound tap-in that came off his knee. Manchester City went…
After Manchester City saved Luka Modric's shot, the person in the stands didn't return the ball, holding up the penalty shootout for almost a…
Bayern Munich scored the only goal to defeat Arsenal 1-nil and progress to the semifinals. Former player Martin Keown says it's disappointing his former…
After taking an early advantage saving a Real Madrid shot, all momentum was lost when Bernardo Silva just chipped the ball at the keeper…
Manchester City’s campaign to retain the UEFA Champions League is over after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Real Madrid despite dominating almost every…
