Lucky charm McGowan aiming to be cup king again

Australia defender Ryan McGowan is aiming to continue his run as a lucky charm when he steps out for new club Dundee United against Celtic in the final of the Scottish League Cup next month.

Ryan McGowan celebrates Dundee United's Scottish League Cup Semi Final success (AAP) Source: AAP

The right-back - who played three games for Australia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup but didn't make the cut for the AFC Asian Cup 2015 - won the Scottish Cup with Heart of Midlothian in 2012 and followed that up with Chinese Cup success with Shandong Luneng in November.

In another promising omen, his debut for the Tangerines came in the 2-1 semi-final win over Aberdeen at the end of January.

"To play a part in helping us reach the decider really just underlined why I am so happy to back in British football again," said McGowan, who spent six seasons with Hearts before heading to the Chinese Super League.

“I have great memories of the 2012 Scottish Cup final when I scored in our 5-1 win over Hibernian - and then there was the win in China against Jiangsu Sainty, where I scored the winner for us in the second leg in the 95th minute.

“It was my last game for the club and a great way to go out. We finished second in the league in my first year and I also got to play in the Asian Champions League, so it was a great two years there.

“It would be unbelievable to go to Hampden Park next month and pick up another trophy against Celtic – as a footballer these are the type of games you live for."

McGowan is relishing being back on familiar turf.

“I always wanted to come back into the UK because it’s where the people live and breathe football – and I am at club which is doing well," he said.

“There was interest to remain in China but it was always my plan to come back to Britain after my contract was up, and play at the highest level possible.

“We're fourth in the league - and second spot gets a qualifying spot for the Champions League group stage. We are also still alive in the Scottish Cup ... so there’s a lot to play for.”

Asked how he thought Socceroos star Tim Cahill would adapt to life in China with new club Shanghai Shenhua, McGowan said: "He’s a world-class player and I don’t think he will find anything on the pitch that will faze him in any way.

“He handles the big occasions well and he will be one of the biggest stars in the league at a club that has a lot of ambition but might still struggle to make the top six."

McGowan, who has been texting Cahill snippets of advice on what to expect in China, added: “They don’t have Twitter over there (on which Tim Cahill has 738,000 followers) but they have the Chinese version, Weibo.

"To give it some context, some of the Shandong players had over eight million followers.

“The league is growing fast and he’ll enjoy it and embrace it. And he’s going to China's most exciting city.

“China did well at the Asian Cup and entire squad is home-based, so the standard is good."

Cahill, though, will need to deliver to keep adulation from turning to frustration, with McGowan adding: “The fans are passionate and they don't like losing – just like any fans.

"A lot of responsibility falls on their foreign stars, who tend to earn the big money.

“With Shandong, it was my fault if we conceded a goal and I am sure if Timmy misses a couple of chances and they lose then it will be the same for him.”

Though he would love to have been part of January's AFC Asian Cup glory trail for the Socceroos, McGowan was delighted for his erstwhile teammates and hasn't given up hope of resurfacing under Ange Postecoglou in a right-back role currently the domain of Ivan Franjic, with Chis Herd as his understudy.

McGowan, who has been used as both centre-back and right-back by Australia, said: “Obviously I’d love to get back involved again but like every Australian I was just so proud and delighted to watch the boys win the Asian Cup.

“I've been asked a few times if it was mixed emotions because I wasn't part of it ... but I am a born and bred Australian and it doesn’t matter whether I am playing or not, to see the boys do well and win is fantastic.

“If I am doing well at my club, maybe my chance will come again.”