Cammy Devlin hopes his Hearts form between now and November can see his World Cup dream come true.
The Australian headed home during the summer for the first time since arriving from Down Under and watched as Tynecastle teammates Nathaniel Atkinson and Kye Rowles helped the Socceroos book their spot in Qatar. Graham Arnold’s men won a dramatic intercontinental play-off final against Peru on penalties and will head to the Middle East this winter as a result.
Devlin was in contention to be named in that squad with Arnold watching him closely, but a hamstring injury in March scuppered his chances. Atkinson received a first senior call-up and started, while new addition Rowles put in a Man of the Match display to see the Aussies confirm a fifth successive appearance at the finals.
Devlin is in Spain with the Jambos for a week of warm weather training, but his compatriots were given extra time off and will join up with Robbie Neilson’ s squad after they return to the capital. And he is determined to make it a trio of Hearts stars that look out their passports for Qatar later this year.
“I wanted to be there but to see Australia do so well and get through in such tough conditions was great,” he said. “I have a lot of mates in that team, obviously two Hearts players who were great.
"Natty was unreal until he threw the towel in and didn't want to take a penalty! Kye got man of the match which is outstanding. It's a great squad and I'm really happy for everyone. To be in another World Cup, the fifth in a row for Australia, is fantastic.
"I don't really need much of an incentive to work hard and do my best, but if you're ever going to get one it's to put yourself in the frame for the World Cup. Being out for two and a half months with my hamstring didn't help me before those play-offs.
"I obviously want to be there, that's the dream. Every kid wants to play for their country and go to a World Cup. It's kind of crazy. If I start the season well then hopefully I'll be in with a chance. The only way I'll make that possible is if I do well for Hearts.
"I'm uncapped but I believe in myself. If you count yourself out then it's never going to happen. I always work hard and believe in myself. That way you give yourself every chance. I won't look too far ahead because that might hinder how I perform. I just focus week to week on how I play for Hearts and fingers crossed that can come.”
Playing on the European stage in maroon can’t do his chances any harm. The Jambos will be in the group stages of either the Europa League or Europa Conference League in the run up to the World Cup, which didn’t even cross Devlin’s mind before signing.
"Being in Europe is unreal,” he said. “I didn't even think of it when I came here. I just thought how unreal it was to come and play in Scotland. Now we have a chance to be in the Europa League. Me and the Aussie boys have spoken about just how wild that is for us. When it's tough in pre-season like this, it just gives you that little bit more incentive with big games coming up. If you're playing European games, I think that might help your international cause a bit.”
Naturally, Devlin and Atkinson have formed a close bond as the two antipodeans in Neilson’s squad. And it’s the more, the merrier as far as Devlin is concerned after Rowles penned a three-year deal with the Gorgie Boys earlier this summer.
“It's great - another Aussie to run amok with!” he beamed. “He's a great player and his performances speak for themselves. It will create a homely feeling having a couple of Aussie boys here. I'm buzzing for it.
"He gave me a message when it first came about. He would have spoken to Natty while they were away as well. To know that he is coming is great. I told him the opportunity to come over here and play European football is something he might not get elsewhere.
"Similar to Natty, me and Kye have kind of grown up playing against each other. We were in Australian youth camps together so you are mates. Then we were away for a month or so at the Olympics and got quite close. He is a great bloke, a super-nice guy.”
But what about the moustache Rowles is currently sporting? "I think he might cop it when he comes over but I'll let him find that out for himself!”
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