As Apostolos Giannou poses for his obligatory portrait photo near Sydney's Circular Quay he looks down briefly to take in the badge emblazoned on his blue Socceroos training jacket.

Key points: Apostolos Giannou represented Greece in friendly last year

Apostolos Giannou represented Greece in friendly last year Striker says Postecoglou's approach convinced him to switch allegiances

Striker says Postecoglou's approach convinced him to switch allegiances Giannou relishing chance to play alongside Tim Cahill

"I guess, it's mixed emotions for me," the 26-year-old Greek-born Australian said.

Giannou actually played for his country of birth back in November during an international friendly against Turkey, coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes of the match.

He had already represented Australia at the junior level, and the decision to play Giannou resulted in the Greek side forfeiting the game, due to Hellenic Football Federation officials failing to complete the relevant paperwork to switch his allegiance back to Greece.

It opened the door for Ange Postecoglou to coax him back to the green and gold.

Giannou said he felt right at home in the place he grew up, having moved to Melbourne when he was nine.

"When Ange came to Greece to talk to me about playing for Australia he didn't want to force me to do anything," Giannou said.

"He told me the exciting things that he was doing and I was just happy that he came all the way to see me. It meant a lot."

On Saturday, Giannou could play a critical role in Australia's international friendly against Greece — admittedly an awkward opponent for him as he tries to take his international game forward.

"I have a few friends in the Greek national team that's for sure. It will be fun," he said.

Australian setup more 'professional': Giannou

Giannou's Socceroos debut came in March, in a 7-0 romp over Tajikistan and although he did not get on the scoresheet he said he has already learned a lot about how his new team approaches the game.

"Here in Australia, things are more professional. My experience with the Greek team was that it's a little more free," he said.

"I guess different coaches can do that. That doesn't mean one is better than the other."

Giannou (in white) takes a tumble during his sole appearance for Greece. ( Getty Images: Burak Kara )

His potential was rubber-stamped with his signing in the Chinese Super League at the start of the year.

Guangzhou R&F secured the striker on a three-year deal, joining Tim Cahill as a Socceroos teammate in the league. With its growing economic sway, clubs in China are future super powers of the round ball game.

Today Giannou spoke fondly of Cahill, who is helping his new teammate assimilate into Socceroos life.

"Since the last camp he was one of the players who made me feel so comfortable," Giannou said.

"I felt from the first day that this is my family and he helped create that."

Socceroos' succession plan to replace Cahill

Perhaps Cahill is quietly preparing his own succession plan.

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Australia has longed for pure, world-class striking talent since Mark Viduka retired in 2009.

The evergreen Cahill has forged a formidable record up front for the Socceroos but even he started out in the midfield and it is debatable whether the Socceroos number four will continue to thrive as the hands of time tick.

Cahill turns 37 in December and could feature in the Socceroos' squad for Russia 2018, which is now only 24 months away.

But the time has come for Postecoglou to implement the next stage of his plan. A coach never afraid to take risks, in Giannou, he may have discovered a trump card.

"Just to be playing with Tim Cahill is something unbelievable," Giannou said.

Also Mark Viduka and all these past great players. If I can get anywhere near those I would be happy."

The first of two international friendlies against Greece takes place on Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.