Hearts starlet Ryan McGowan today conceded to having mixed feelings after making his first-team debut in the 1-0 defeat from Gretna in last night's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Fir Park.

The Australian, who last featured for the top team in the pre-season friendly against Barcelona at Murrayfield in July, saw his long wait for his competitive bow rewarded with a second-half substitute's appearance after a head injury to Marius Zaliukas.

He soon had the fans roaring their approval after a surging run almost set up the game's opening goal. The 18-year-old left a clutch of Gretna players trailing in his wake before playing an inch-perfect pass into the path of Larry Kingston. The Ghana midfielder set up Kestutis Ivaskevicius, whose shot was saved.

Ryan admitted the early touches helped settle his nerves, although his enjoyment of the occasion was tempered by Gretna's last-minute winner.

"It was good to come on and make my debut but it wasn't such a great result," he told HNT. "It's definitely a case of mixed feelings.

"I enjoyed it despite the circumstances but it would have been so much better had we won the match.

"I have waited a long time to make my debut. In fact the last match I played for the first team was against Barcelona at Murrayfield last summer so it has been a while. That was the biggest crowd I have played in front of and last night's was the smallest!

"My mum and dad were listening to the game on Hearts.TV and I had about five missed calls on my phone after the match. It was the middle of the night for them but they weren't going to miss it."

Ryan is due to board a plane for home tomorrow, his first trip back to Adeleide in almost a year.

He will be back refreshed, though, for pre season and is determined to remain involved in the first team scene.

"I enjoyed my debut and want to play in the first team much more next season," he said. "It could be a big season for me."

Meanwhile, Marius' head knock is not thought to be serious, with the Lithuanian having been assessed by the club's medical staff this morning.

On Hearts.TV now - Listen to Stephen Frail's post match reaction to Gretna and watch highlights of the Robbie Neilson testimonial and the Players' Player of the Year and Scottish Cup Anniversary celebrations.