Kye Rowles insists he’s at Hearts for the long haul as he warned: “You don’t stab people in the back.”
The Australian international hit the ground running after arriving from Central Coast Mariners in the summer, but found his progress halted after breaking his foot as he scored his first goal in maroon in a 3-2 home win over St Johnstone back in August. Thankfully for the 24-year-old. He recovered in time to make Graham Arnold’s World Cup squad and shone as the Socceroos made the last 16 before being eliminated by eventual winners Argentina.
Rowles displays in Qatar caught the eye, and Tynecastle director of football Joe Savage hinted at the club’s recent AGM that clubs were already sniffing about the Aussie centre back. Fans, naturally, were concerned that Rowles’ increased profile would see someone splash enough cash to tempt him away from Gorgie before they got a chance to properly enjoy him.
But the 24-year-old isn't about to do the dirty on the people that took the chance on bringing him to Europe, that saw him rewarded with a starring role in the biggest football show on earth. And he’s not looking to go anywhere after such a short spell in his new home.
“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,” he told the Edinburgh Evening News.
“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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