Kye Rowles admits he wants to stay at Hearts for as long as possible and he won't 'stab people in the back' after the show of faith in him.
Robbie Neilson snapped up the defender in the summer from Central Coast Mariners and he hit the ground running before suffering a foot break. He spent time out on the sidelines but recovered in time to get crucial game time ahead of Australia's World Cup bid. He was a key player and impressed at the heart of the Socceroos' defence as they reached the last 16 before defeat to Lionel Messi and Argentina - who went on to lift the trophy.
The 24-year-old increased his profile with his displays in Qatar with Tynecastle director of football Joe Savage hinting that clubs were sniffing around at the recent AGM. But the stopper insists he is it in for the long haul in the capital, a statement that will send the Gorgie faithful into the new year in a good frame of mind. Rowles has only played for Hearts 12 times to date with fears they wouldn't get to enjoy many more minutes - but those have been put to bed by the centre-back.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “I think it’s a pretty simple one: I didn’t come over here to leave six months later. Nor did I think it would happen that way.
“There hasn’t been too much news about it and I’m not paying attention to it anyway. I’m focused on here with these boys and I want to stay here for as long as possible.
“Hopefully we get into European football again and really start pushing for third and second position. I will keep playing football, keep my head down and stay focused.
“You don’t want to stab people in the back who have put so much trust in you and given you such a good opportunity. I’m not going to do that.
"I’m grateful for this opportunity that Hearts have given me and I want to repay the faith that the club and fans have put in me. I want to do all the boys proud as well. It really feels like we are fighting for each other out there.
"That’s when you know you’ve got a good group, when you all put yourself on the line for each other. It’s a good feeling at the moment.”
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