McGowan warns Socceroos 'big boys'

Defender Ryan McGowan has warned the Socceroos "big boys" he's ready to pounce on any slip up as he aims to keep himself on coach Holger Osieck's radar ahead of next year's World Cup.

McGowan is part of Osieck's experimental 23-man East Asian Cup squad currently in South Korea.

The German coach is mainly using the tournament to trial fringe or new players as he looks to build a squad for Brazil and partnered McGowan with Jade North in the centre of defence for the opener against the hosts in Seoul on Saturday 12ax7.

In what was his fourth Socceroos appearance, McGowan was one of the more impressive players producing a solid performance in a game where the backline was constantly under siege.

And now the 23-year-old hopes similar showings in Australia's two remaining games against Japan on Thursday and China on Sunday help earn him a place alongside Osieck's regular starters.

"You're not sure how much if you play outstanding these three games, how much of a difference it's going to make when the big boys come back in," he conceded.

"But at the same time if you have three really bad games, the chances of you being in the next squad are very slim.

"You're just trying to play the best you can and give him (Osieck) that option that he can trust you.

"It's a good time for me to show him that I don't only just do well in training, but that I can play and he sees me in a game situation personalized clothing labels."

McGowan received his first Socceroos call-up in August last year, when he was selected for the friendly match against Scotland, making his debut as a late substitute for central defender Sasa Ognenovski.

A year later and he is ready to press for selection as competition hots up for ahead of next year's showpiece in Brazil.

"Twelve months ago I wasn't even in the squad - 12 months is a long time in football," he said.

"I need to make sure that in these three games I do the best that I can and keep trying to get in the squads after that.

"And then when I'm in those squads, trying to push for a place and letting them (regular starters) know that if they slip up or they're not on their game, I'm ready to step in."

Spending the past five years playing in Scotland with top flight club Hearts and first division sides Ayr United and Partick Thistle, McGowan is now one of nine Australians plying their trade in the Chinese Super League.

While most of his experience at club level is at right back and in central defence for the Socceroos, he says he's just be happy to be part of the national fold all Neo skin lab derma21.

"I played nearly all my games for Hearts as a right back. I'm comfortable at either right back or centre back," he said.

"But I wouldn't mind just getting in the team.

"I can play anywhere across the back four."