Cammy Devlin hopes he can land a spot in Australia's World Cup squad by impressing for Hearts between now and the finals in Qatar.
The Aussies secured their spot at the global football event after defeating Peru on penalties in the play-off final with Kye Rowles and Nathaniel Atkinson playing starring roles. The uncapped Jambos man watched on as Graham Arnold's men sent the country wild by securing their spot - and he is determined to be part of the party later this year.
His two Hearts team-mates have been given extra time off after their international exploits while Devlin is currently in Spain with the rest of Robbie Neilson's squad as they get put through their paces in a warm-weather pre-season training camp. The 24-year-old hopes he can impress and give himself a chance of making the squad that jets off for the finals this coming November and he has pointed to Hearts' European adventure as an extra cause to help his bid to fulfil his childhood dream.
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
READ MORE: Hearts join West Ham in transfer chase as they look to raid Scott Brown for £1million star
Speaking about the Socceroos' win and his World Cup hopes, he told the Daily Record: “I wanted to be there but to see Australia do so well and get through in such tough conditions was great. 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.”
On the prospects of playing European group stage football, he added: "Being in Europe is unreal. 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.”
READ NEXT:
- Hearts star Liam Boyce 'wanted' by Aberdeen and Ipswich as duo eye transfer raid on Jambos
- Hearts hand nine academy talents first pro deals as Joe Savage opens up on talented teens
- Hearts and Aberdeen 'get green light' for Connor Ronan transfer battle from Wolves
