25 Facts About Ryan McGowan

Ryan James McGowan was born on 15 August 1989 and is an Australian footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Championship club Livingston.

Ryan McGowan has previously played for Para Hills Knights, Heart of Midlothian, Shandong Luneng Taishan, Dundee United, Henan Jianye, Guizhou Zhicheng, Al-Sharjah, Bradford City, Sydney FC, Kuwait SC and St Johnstone, with loan spells at Ayr United, Partick Thistle and Dundee.

Ryan McGowan began his career at Para Hills Knights and was part of the South Australian Sports Institute, before moving to Scottish Premier League club Hearts in 2006 and was promoted to the first-team in 2008.

Templeton went on to join Rangers but Ryan McGowan stayed, explaining that he needs to keep his international career status alive.

On 7 January 2013, Ryan McGowan signed a two-year contract with Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng Taishan.

Ryan McGowan made his Chinese Super League debut for Shandong Luneng Taishan on 9 March 2013 against Dalian Aerbin.

On 23 January 2015, Ryan McGowan moved back to Scotland, signing an 18-month contract with Dundee United.

Ryan McGowan returned to China on 21 January 2016 after he was transferred from Dundee United to Henan Jianye.

On 27 January 2017, Ryan McGowan was released by Henan Jianye.

One month after leaving Henan Jianye, Ryan McGowan joined newly promoted Chinese Super League club Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng.

On 21 August 2017, Ryan McGowan joined UAE Arabian Gulf League side Al-Sharjah.

On 26 January 2018, Ryan McGowan joined EFL League One side Bradford City from Al-Sharjah for an undisclosed fee.

On 3 July 2019, Ryan McGowan signed a two-year contract with A-League club Sydney FC, while his brother Dylan earlier joining their derby rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.

On 3 July 2021, Sydney FC announced that Ryan McGowan was leaving the club, having agreed to terms with an overseas club.

On 7 July 2021, Ryan McGowan signed with Kuwait Premier League club Kuwait SC.

Ryan McGowan returned to Scottish football in July 2022, signing for St Johnstone.

In July 2024, Ryan McGowan signed for Scottish Championship club Livingston on a two-year deal.

On 8 February 2025, Ryan McGowan scored his first goal for Livi in a Scottish Cup fifth round victory over Cove Rangers.

On 30 March 2025, Ryan McGowan won the Scottish Challenge Cup with Livingston, playing the full game in a five-goal hammering over Queen's Park.

Ryan McGowan was part of the Australia team that qualified for the AFC Youth Championship 2008 in November 2007.

Ryan McGowan was selected for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt; his brother and teammate Dylan Ryan McGowan, was not selected.

Ryan McGowan started in the first match for the Young Socceroos in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and received a yellow and a straight red against the Czech Republic for a studs up challenge which resulted in a penalty.

Ryan McGowan received his first call-up to the Australia senior squad in August 2012, when he was selected for the friendly match against Scotland, making his debut as a late substitute replacing Sasa Ognenovski.

Ryan McGowan was booed by some sections of the home support due to his Hearts connections, with the game being played at Easter Road.

Ryan McGowan's parents emigrated to Australia in 1980, and McGowan was born in Adelaide into a Scottish family from Glasgow.