The 18-year-old midfielder was the bolter in Ange Postecoglou’s extended 30-man squad named on Wednesday for upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE.

McGree has only played a dozen A-League games for the Reds in a side sitting bottom of the table, but he has done enough to impress Postecoglou.

Socceroos team manager Joel Freeme called McGree over the weekend to inform him of his selection, leaving the Gawler youngster lost for words.

“Honestly I was a bit lost for words,” McGree said. “I didn’t know what to say.

“I didn’t think it was true to be honest. After it was explained, it kind of sunk in.

“I kind of thought it was a prank call to be honest.”

McGree only made the one fleeting appearance off the bench last season and had modest expectations for the 2016/17 campaign.

“Coming into this season, I thought I’d maybe get some minutes here or there,” he said.

“Due to some unfortunate circumstances, injuries and players leaving, I was thrown in earlier than I expected. I think I’ve done not too bad.

“(The call-up) was obviously very unexpected. I’ve been given the opportunity in the A-League, the club has been good to me, they’ve believed in me.”

The 30-man squad will be trimmed to 23 next week by Postecoglou, with McGree hopeful of making the final cut and linking up with the Socceroos.

“I think it’ll be a good experience,” McGree said.

“I’ll be able to learn from them, from the coaching staff and the players.

“I’ll just take it all in my stride and hopefully do well if I get the opportunity.”

The shock call-up also hasn’t given rise to thoughts about Europe for McGree yet.

“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing,” he said.

“I think I just focus on my football here at the club and those things will take care of themselves.”