The Adelaide-born 22-year-old, who has been at Hearts since 2008, has established himself as a first-team regular this term after several seasons on the fringes.

And McGowan is expected to be a starter at right-back for Saturday's final which pits two Edinburgh clubs against one another as Hearts strive for their first silverware since 2006.

McGowan told the Edinburgh Evening News he's ecstatic with how this season has worked out for him.

“It’s kind of funny how things can work out in football,” McGowan said. “I was in and out of the team earlier this season, but since I’ve come over to this country I’ve known that if you keep your head down and work hard then, when the opportunity comes, you’ll be ready. It’s a cliche but it’s worked.

“I’m lucky enough that, when the gaffer’s chucked me in different positions, I’ve handled it okay. I’ve ended up keeping a position and I’m just delighted that it could end with a Scottish Cup win.

"When I was a kid it was probably the World Cup I dreamt of lifting but I think that’s a bit far-fetched. A lot of players go through their career and never win anything.

"For me, just starting my career and getting the chance to win something in my first full season would honestly be a dream come true. I would look back on it in years to come and still be delighted with it."

McGowan is popular among Hearts' supporters for his enthusiastic goal celebrations and he added if he was to pop up for the winner he wouldn't know how to express his joy.

“I couldn’t even begin to imagine it. I’ll be excited if anyone scores. If it’s me, God knows what I’ll end up doing," he said.

“It’s one of those things which, no matter how many times you go through it in your head, you won’t know what you’re going to do until it actually happens."