Ryan McGowan hopes experience gives him the nod over young guns in Socceroos defence for World Cup

RYAN McGowan made his international debut in 2012, which makes him one of the more experienced players in the Socceroos’ World Cup squad.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Ryan McGowan of the Socceroos poses during an Australian Socceroos portrait session at the Intercontinental on May 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

RYAN McGowan made his international debut in 2012, which makes him one of the more experienced players in the Socceroos’ World Cup squad.

With Lucas Neill not part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans and Curtis Good still struggling with injury, McGowan, who plays for Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng, now has an opportunity to cement a spot for himself in Australia’s back four.

Ryan McGowan is currently playing in China.

The 24-year-old defender also believes his experience - relative to those around him - gives him more to offer.

“I’ve been in and around the squad for two years now, it’s been a long time between drinks, but I’ve been in the squads,” McGowan said.

“Considering there are three or four who have never played I need to look out for them a little bit.

“A few of the boys have got niggles or are out with injuries and obviously everyone knows about Lucas. It’s an opportunity for someone to step in and I’m hoping if I can get the chance I can perform well and can stay in the team.”

On paper, Australia should be the easy-beats of their group. McGowan says there would be no point in going to Brazil if the players thought that, but they are hoping the likes of Spain, Holland and Chile underestimate them.

“No one plays on paper,” he said.

“There will be bigger results in the World Cup than if we beat one or two of them. The boss has said if anyone takes their foot off the gas against us or underrates is then we will be right there to take our chances and spring a few surprises.”

McGowan says training has been intense and he hasn’t received much indication as to whether or not he will be playing in Monday night’s friendly farewell match against South Africa, but is looking forward to the game.

“It’s a lot different, a training session to a game,” he said.

“So it will be a good test for us to try and do what we’ve been working on in training and bring that into the game.”

Originally published as Ryan McGowan hopes experience gives him the nod over young guns in Socceroos defence for World Cup