Jubilant Jambo Kye Rowles admits he’s “stoked” after a frenetic fortnight which left him feeling on top of the world.
Rowles made his Australia debut, signed for Hearts and then sealed a spot at the World Cup in the space of 13 whirlwind days.
The Tynecastle new boy is heading to Qatar with the Socceroos in November after playing a central role in Monday night’s dramatic penalty kick victory over Peru in the qualifying play-off final.
Rowles and fellow Jambo Nat Atkinson started for Graham Arnold’s side as they dug deep across 120 minutes before finishing the job in a nerve-shredding sudden death shoot out.
And the 23-year-old, uncapped just two weeks ago before making his debut in a friendly against Jordan, was a rock at the back beside Sunderland’s Bailey Wright.
He said: “You live for these moments and I’m making the most of it!
“I didn’t expect to feature in these games, but that’s what’s so great about these boys - when we’re called upon we stand up.
“That’s what being Aussie is all about. When you are called up doing your country and your mates proud.
“It was so many emotions all at one time - I can’t even describe it. All good emotions and it will sink in over the coming weeks.
“We will celebrate now, let our hair down and then focus. We will only get better in the next four or five months.”
Rowles has been granted a couple of weeks off before heading to join fellow Aussies Atkinson and Cammy Devlin at Tynecastle.
And the 6ft 1in stopper, who spent the last five years with Central Coast Mariners in his homeland, is already raring to get going in Gorgie.
He said: “It’s exciting times. That’s what you play football for - to push yourself and give yourself new challenges. I can’t wait.
“It’s going to be an amazing experience. I’m just stoked at how the last two to three weeks have turned out. It’s been unreal.
“I will go back to Australia for a few weeks then head over to Scotland early in July. Then it’s about kick starting over there.”
Rowles’ rise has been meteoric over the last few weeks. But he insists it’s just the start.
Having come through the Queensland Academy of Sport, the powerful defender was picked up by Brisbane Roar before moving to the Mariners in 2017 where he made over 100 appearances.
But Robbie Neilson hailed his capture for Hearts as a “big coup” and the Jambos boss reckons Tynecastle is the perfect place for him to move to the next level.
Rowles told NewsTalk4BC: “Hopefully there’s plenty more caps to come and plenty more moments like this.
“It’s been a long journey and you appreciate these moments even more when you see experienced boys who have dug deep their whole career and maybe only had one experience or maybe don’t get to experience it at all.
“It’s been a long road but when you get moments like this you forget everything and think, ‘wow’.
“The chemistry between the boys and coaching staff with the Aussie squad is second to none. We have made it one big family environment and it showed the way we were fighting for each other.
“We showed as lot of grit and determination. These boys are amazing.”
