Kye Rowles says he's only just getting started at Hearts after signing a long-term contract to remain at Tynecastle.
It's been a whirlwind season for the centre-back after arriving from A-League side Central Coast Mariners. He started off strongly in maroon before injury ruled him out of most of their Europa Conference League group stage campaign, recovering in time to star for Australia at the World Cup.
That attracted admiring glances but any speculation has been stopped with a new five-year contract signed and sealed. Rowles is keen to repay the faith put in him by manager Robbie Neilson and the rest of the staff at the Edinburgh club, telling Hearts TV: "It feels pretty amazing. Coming over here was unknown for everyone and I’m stoked that it’s started so positively. I’m just grateful that club’s given me this opportunity and given me another opportunity again to extend. It definitely feels like I’m only getting started here.
"I picked up an injury and was out for two or so months, then the World Cup break was another month or so, so really I’ve only been here for half of that time (six months) really. It's only a handful of games and it has really given me a taste of what I want more of.
"I think it would be silly to only play 20 games at a club that’s this big and with this much opportunity. I think I have come on leaps and bounds but I still have room to improve, and I want to take my game to the next step."
Having missed all of their European games this season outside the Europa League qualifiers, Rowles says getting back there as they pursue the Premiership's third spot again is key, facing rivals Aberdeen this week on top of a Scottish Cup tie with Hibs. He added: "We’re really fighting for European football this year.
"Unfortunately I missed the whole group stage of the last competition. So I just want a taste of that and really put myself on that stage.
"I know everyone wants another crack it because they understand the Thursday-Sunday schedule now and everyone’s got that experience in it and understands their bodies a bit more in those circumstances. We just want to give it another red-hot crack."
READ NEXT
