Forget the cliched nonsense about cork hats and didgeridoos - Kye Rowles couldn’t give a XXXX about that.
But when the defender finally arrives in Gorgie to join Hearts next month don’t be surprised to see the big Aussie with a surfboard in tow.
It’s the way Rowles rolls according to former Central Coast Mariners team mate Michael McGlinchey.
And it’s that laid back attitude which makes the Socceroos hero a stick-on to handle any choppy waters that may come his way in the Scottish Premiership.
Former Celtic youngster McGlinchey is delighted to see two of his old Mariners colleagues sailing half way round the world to Edinburgh to develop their game.
While Rowles heads to Hearts, Lewis Miller has opted for Hibs.
And McGlinchey is convinced the 21-year-old full-back, who he described as a “weapon” due to his powerful displays out wide, is destined to become a full Australia international too.
Rowles is already there, having made his debut for Graham Arnold’s Socceroos on June 1 and then picked up man of the match in his third cap - the crunch World Cup play-off final win over Peru on Monday night.
For now the 23-year-old will enjoy a bit of down time, undoubtedly catch a few waves, before moving to Edinburgh in the first week of July.
And McGlinchey said: “It’s brilliant to see these two guys get big moves to Scotland.
“Kye has a massive future. He is one everyone knew was going to kick-on. Graham Arnold earmarked him for the national team three years ago. He is very good on the ball and likes to play out.
“It says a lot that Arnold brought Kye in for a game as big as Monday’s. But his character meant he could handle it, nothing phases him.
“The A-League has been good for guys like him, it’s very tactical and everyone plays out from the back.
“He has a nice left foot and a good range of passing.
“But he’s a good defender too, he’s strong and reads the game well.
“I know Kye had other options but I told him Edinburgh was a cracking city and he’d enjoy himself there.
“He is such a down-to-earth, typical Aussie guy.
“I don’t mean he was strutting about with a cork hat but he always had a surfboard in the back of his motor and after training he’d go straight to the beach.
“Nothing phases him. Training, beach, surfboard - that was his typical day.
“He tried to get me into it but I’d already had a shot about 10 years ago and nearly broke my back so I always left it to the Aussies. It’s the culture for these guys.
“If there’s any surf in Scotland I’m sure he’ll find it .. I just hope the weather’s okay in Portobello!”
If Rowles has ridden the crest of a wave to become a full international, his former Mariners team mate Miller has had to dig deep to make the most of his ability.
The full-back was only 18 when he shared a pitch with McGlinchey and was raw.
But having returned to Australia earlier this year after a spell back in Scotland, McGlinchey was taken aback by the development of the now 21-year-old whose performances last season saw him included in Opta’s A-League team of the season.
Miller was left disappointed on Wednesday as the Socceroos U23s lost out to Saudi Arabia in the semi final of the Asian Cup.
But McGlinchey said: “Lewis was always attack-minded and I remember not wanting to have to mark him in training as it meant a lot of running back the way!
“He was raw when he first broke into the team.
“It wasn’t until I came back over two months ago and went to watch the Mariners that I noticed he had come on massively.
“He has bulked up and was like a different player. He is strong, physical and with an incredible engine.
“I was speaking to the manager Nick Montgomery this week and he has no doubt he is ready to take the next step.
“He’ll get at full-backs. He was like a weapon for the Mariners.
“I was actually shocked at how strong he’s got.
“He likes to get crosses in the box but not many players will get past him going the other way.
“It’s been a big season for Lewis. This move to Hibs is the next step and if he has a good start then he should be looking to push on into the national squad for the World Cup.”
Former Motherwell and Dunfermline winger McGlinchey, 35, has returned for another spell in Australia with Weston Bears in the second tier of the Australian League.
But he insists it’s no surprise to see increasing numbers of European clubs looking down under for stars to make the opposite journey.
He said: “It’s great that the A-League is getting the recognition it deserves now.
“The players here benefit from a rule that means clubs are only allowed five foreign players so the Aussie boys get game time and develop.
“Kye and Lewis are two cases in point.
“That’s Australia now qualified for their fifth World Cup and something like 21 of the 23 man squad was developed in the A-League.
“So there’s all the proof you need about the success of the league.”
