Hearts' Dylan McGowan says brotherly love means he doesn't want first team place

17 Nov 2012 00:01

THE up-and-coming youngster thinks his brother moving team is his most likely route into the front line.
Dylan wants to break into the first team ranks - but not at the expense of his brother Dylan wants to break into the first team ranks - but not at the expense of his brother

DYLAN McGOWAN’S best chance of becoming a regular in the Hearts starting line-up could be the departure of his brother Ryan in the January transfer window.

Which leaves the versatile young Aussie with a professional v personal dilemma.

Dylan is desperate to make a top-team breakthrough and impressed as a sub against Inverness last week.

The 21-year-old, primarily a midfielder but able to play in defence and out wide, could be given his first start against St Mirren today but knows a real opportunity may fall into his lap if Hearts are forced into a New Year fire sale to help ease their financial crisis.

And with his brother breaking into the Australian national team and attracting interest from down south, Dylan knows Ryan has become one of the club’s most valued assets.

He said: “Ryan has done extremely well in the last season or so. He has become a bit of a fans’ favourite and got into the international team. You won’t find anyone prouder than me to see what he has achieved in the last 18 months or so.

“It would affect me on a personal level more than a professional level if he moves.

“If Ryan leaves another spot in the team opens up but on a personal level I don’t want to see him go.

“He has been at Hearts since I’ve been here and we’ve lived together the whole time.

“We’re brothers and if he moves it’s not going to be easy.

“Ryan has to do what’s best for himself – whether that’s staying at Tynecastle or moving.

“But the fact a lot of players could leave in January opens the door for young players.”
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Ryan didn’t return from international duty in South Korea until Thursday night so manager John McGlynn has yet to decide if he’ll be ready to face St Mirren.

But Dylan is relishing the prospect of playing alongside his older brother and revealed family back in Oz will be glued to the television if it happens.

He said: “My dad really likes when we both play at the same time while my mum couldn’t really tell you too much about football.

“But as long as we both look good my mum is happy – as long as we’re well kept!

“They are hugely proud to watch us play. We both dreamed of doing that when we were younger.

“We played in the same teams growing up but to do it at this level is huge. I think we’re good together on the pitch.”

Dylan has agreed to a wage deferral as Hearts try to raise the £450,000 that will prevent HMRC winding the club up.

The youngster believes he owes it to the club for giving him the chance to play at this level.

Dylan aims to be on the ball against St Mirren Dylan aims to be on the ball against St Mirren

And having seen the club he played with on loan last season go to the wall, the Aussie is determined not to suffer again.

He added: “I was at Gold Coast United last term and they have completely shut down so that wasn’t a nice experience.

“The league decided the club should close and gave the franchise to Sydney. Gold Coast had only been going for three or four years so there wasn’t a great deal of history and we were only playing in front of two or three thousand fans.

“It was different from the situation here but still not nice.

“We were owned by a billionaire but the federation just decided to take the club off him.

“I was in a better position than most because I had a club to come home to – but all of the players were told they had four games to prove to other teams they were worthy of getting a move.

“Thankfully most of the guys are now playing elsewhere.

“As for Hearts, the fans have been huge this week, getting behind the share issue and buying tickets.
Ryan and Dylan McGowan praised for giving Hearts support something to smile about amid uncertain times

“Within the club we have spoken about football and concentrated on putting on a performance so we’ll hope to do that this week.

“We have been taken aback from the response by the fans. You pick up a paper and see how much money they have raised. I was at an auction the other night, the fans are digging deep in tough times.

“When you look at how much they’ve put in, deferring our wages was a gesture we could do.

“All the boys were happy to do it although I can’t speak for everyone. A lot of them have a lot more commitments with family and mortgages but it was an easy decision for me.

“I came over when I had just turned 16 and the club took a huge gamble. They brought me over then gave me my first pro contract and somewhere to live. These are things you don’t forget easily.

“They say loyalty is gone in football but I’m more than happy to stay here for a long time.

“It’s a huge club and if you play every week, like Ryan does, it can lead to an international call-up. What more do you want?”

Taken from the Daily Record