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More importantly for the versatile defender heading into Australia’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Oman on Tuesday is his pivotal role in keeping two clean sheets.

Among Luneng’s scalps a 2:0 victory over fellow Socceroo Matt McKay’s Changchun Yatai.

But back on home turf after making his $580,000 switch from Scottish Premier League outfit Hearts to the CSL, McGowan admits he’ll miss the influence of suspended skipper, Lucas Neill.

“We’ve got a lot of role models still in the squad – (Mark) Schwarzer, (Tim) Cahill, (Brett) Holman – those players have been there and done that, played in the World Cup,” McGowan said.

“But as a defender myself, I always liked it when Lucas was in the squads and you could sort of pick his brains at training and learn and see how he goes about his business.

“Plus he’s the captain and a very good leader and someone who is very well respected among the playing group. With him being out it’s a little bit different but another opportunity for someone to try and grab.”

That someone might just be McGowan who has made a good fist of slotting into centre-back for his new club after carving out a career in Edinburgh primarily as a right-back.

The 23-year-old says he hasn’t spoken about the team line-up with head coach Holger Osieck where Neill’s absence opens possibilities at the centre of defence.

“It’s been well publicised that (Neill’s) not going to be playing and that there’s spots up for grabs,” McGowan said

“It will be up to the players in those positions to impress in training and try and get a starting spot.”

Meanwhile the former Hearts Young Player of the Year said the influx of Aussies plying their trade in the Asian leagues could play into the Socceroos hands for future world cup qualifying campaigns.

“I don’t really know too much about the (CSL) standard but the first two games have been quite good – I’ve been quite impressed,” he said.

“The Beijings and the Guangzhous (have) got a lot of money and good players so I’m looking forward to playing against those teams and testing myself out.

“It’s a different style of play from Europe. Some people might say it’s a different standard but that’s who we’re going to have to play against to make the world cups so it’s good experience.”

Jinan seems a world away from Edinburgh and the former Rangers target – who  made his move to China in January – says he still keeps tabs on Hearts where he enjoyed a six-year association.

“Obviously with my younger brother Dylan still being at (the club) I’ve kept a massive interest in them,” he said.

“Hearts were a massive influence in my career so far, so I always keep a look out for their results.”

More to the point, for Aussie fans sweating on the Socceroos qualification to Brazil 2014, McGowan feels on top of his game since making the move. Australia currently sit second in their group on goal difference ahead of a match Osieck has labelled a must win.

“I played 20 or 30 games for Hearts and then straight into another pre-season, and we’ve played a lot of games so far in pre-season and then the start of the season,” McGowan said.

“So yeah, feeling good, feeling fit and looking forward to the week.”

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