The Melbourne City midfielder is only 19, but he has already played for three A-League clubs, signed for a European side and been called up to Socceroos camps.

Most notably, McGree was rubbing shoulders with football royalty at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London last month after being nominated for a Puskas Award for his scorpion kick goal in last year’s semi-final.

Asensio's Screamer Vs FC Barcelona
Asensio's Screamer Vs FC Barcelona
In one of Real Madrid's most outstanding performances at the Camp Nou, Los Blancos beat FC Barcelona 3-1 in the Spanish Supercup. Real were leading 2-1 after Cristiano Ronaldo's 80th minute goal, but just before the final whistle, we sealed the win with this beautiful Marco Asensio strike.
0 seconds of 43 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:43
00:43
 
keep watching
Watch more Real Madrid videos on OneFootball

The teenager continued to impress when he came on as a substitute for his City debut, scoring the winner against crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory in the opening round.

But McGree, 20 next week and on loan from Belgian side Club Brugge, is keeping his feet on the ground.

“A lot has happened for me over the past two years and sometimes I have to step back and take a look at what my goals are, what really matters and regain my focus for this season,” McGree told FTBL.

“I don’t get carried away, I like to get down and envision what really matters and what the big picture is.

McGree at the awards in London last month

“These things come and go and once they’ve happened, they’re done. Sure, it’s a good memory, but I have to move on.

“It was definitely an eye-opening experience at the awards. Just to be in the room with big names, mixing and mingling, was an awesome experience.

"Hopefully I can be back, not for a goal, but as one of the best players. That’s the goal.”

McGree is unsure how long he will stay on loan in the A-League, but insists it was a solid decision to return to Australia so soon after his move to Europe on the back of his standout season with Newcastle Jets. 

“The opportunity arose to come here and I discussed it with Club Brugge and my agent,” he said.

“We thought this would be the right path to take and I’m confident it is and I’m going to work hard at City.

“I’m feeling very good and very positive. The main thing is City got the win in the derby and it was good to start off the season with a goal.

“I had to work my way into the match and it’s always difficult to come on and try to get into the tempo of the game. I felt comfortable and I was happy to be out there contributing to the team.”

McGree wheels away from Jason Hoffman after scoring the scorpion goal against City

McGree has still to get his first senior cap for Australia, and says he's more focused on the A-League than the Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates next January.

He first trained with the Socceroos while with Adelaide United and impressed then-coach Ange Postecoglou enough to be part of the squad for last year's World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.

“I want to set the bar high and I do want to represent my country and be a regular starter in the near future,” he said. “I’m looking forward to that and just bettering myself week-in and week-out.

“I’m focusing on my club game and these things will take care of themselves. If we’re playing good football collectively and individuals are playing well as well, then they’re going to get noticed.

"If it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.”

McGree’s wonder goal for Newcastle in April ended City’s season and now that he’s playing in the light blue, he believes they have all the ingredients to win the Championship.

City take on Central Coast Mariners away on Saturday evening and McGree said he was enjoying playing with Ritchie De Laet, Bart Schenkeveld and Bruno Fornaroli.

“I’ve got to work hard this week on the training field and no position is guaranteed,” the teenager said.

“There’s a lot of competition for spots in this team which is healthy at the club. Everyone is working hard and wanting to prove they deserve the starting spot and putting their foot forward, so it’s good to see.

McGree celebrates scoring the winner in the derby

“It’s great playing with experienced boys. It brings confidence in the team and they’re confident players who are classy.

“They show their class on the field, that doesn’t just lift themselves, but the whole team around them. When they’re having good games, everyone in the team is unstoppable and go onto very good things.