Kye Rowles doesn't fear Rangers showpiece as Hearts star's 'special' Wembley runout has him ready for big stage

Kye Rowles insists Hampden holds no fears after the Aussie refused to be overawed by facing the Three Lions under the Wembley Arch.

The Hearts defender is gearing up for Sunday’s Viaplay Cup semi-final showdown and he will complete a quick-fire bucket list job of appearing as two iconic national stadiums in a matter of weeks. Rowles produced an impressive display for the Socceroos as they narrowly went down 1-0 in a friendly defeat to England. And the centre back insisted the experience was priceless as he looks to get the Jambos season up and running against Livi tonight and then Gers this weekend.

Rowles said: “I haven't been to Hampden yet so that'll be another good experience. I'm not complaining! Wembley was pretty special. It was good fun. The stadium was massive and it was a bit of a bucket list item to tick off, especially being a young Aussie boy, you don't really understand that playing at Wembley is such a special experience and is very rare in anyone's career to play there.

“I was pretty starstruck by the whole occasion, walking out. It was good fun and great to be part of. I was playing against Jarrod Bowen so it was pretty interesting. I was pretty much crossing my fingers that he didn't run at me.

“I just kept my shirt for my brothers because it has got the date, stadium and all that so it is pretty special. I was probably going to swap with Bowen because my older brother is a Hammers fan but I think Jackson Irvine played with him earlier in his career (at Hull) so he was straight out there. I wasn't going to complain.

“You are up against some of the best players in the world. If you can do it there then you can bring it back to the club and you can do it here. I feel like if you can put good