Wallace in dreamland after whirlwind week

HEARTS BY PAUL KIDDIE

LEE WALLACE celebrated a dream double this week for Hearts, the youngster helping the club into the semi-finals of the SFA Youth Cup just days after making his shock first-team debut.

The 17-year-old was a surprise starter in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup fourth round clash against Kilmarnock, boss John Robertson handing him a baptism of fire at left-back in place of the much more experienced Jamie McAllister.

Wallace coped well with his sudden promotion to the top level, the raw youngster defying his tender years to repay his manager’s faith with an assured performance against the Rugby Park outfit.

He didn’t have long to dwell on his big day, though, youth coach John McGlynn naming the defender in the squad for his side’s cup clash at Pittodrie on Tuesday night.

With the tie locked at 2-2, Wallace came off the bench at the start of extra time against the Dons and helped secure a place in the last four, Craig Sives heading home the winning goal.

The triumph completed a whirlwind four days for the teenager, who was expected to keep his place in the first-team set-up for today’s SPL visit of Kilmarnock to Tynecastle.

As he reflected on his first week as a top-team star, Wallace admitted this is only the start of the hard work.

"It was quite a big shock to play and I did have a few sleepless nights after the boss told me I would be playing," he said.

"I didn’t do too much after the game last weekend apart from go out for a meal with my girlfriend. I’d lots of calls from friends and family.

"We had a day off on the Sunday but I was back training with the first-team squad on Monday before going up to Aberdeen for the SFA Youth Cup game at Pittodrie.

"I didn’t start that game but came off the bench at the start of extra time and fortunately we managed to get through to the semi-finals, which is a good achievement.

"It was a great few days for me."

Wallace relished his experience against Killie - he was up against former Gorgie favourite Allan Johnston - and is keen to stay involved with the senior squad as often as he can.

He said: "Last week was the first time I had trained with the first team squad and it was certainly a lot faster than what I had been used to. There was a lot more to take in and I couldn’t let my concentration slip for a second.

"Everybody has made me feel very welcome with all the first team guys having advice for me, which has been great.

"I think the best advice I got was just to keep things simple and not to try anything I shouldn’t. I know it’s important that I keep my feet on the ground and I won’t be getting carried away with things."

He added: "We watched a video analysis of the Kilmarnock game at the start of the week and while I felt I did okay, a few mistakes were pointed out to me.

"There is no doubt that Saturday’s game was the biggest of my life and the aim is to now keep working hard and make the most of any opportunities which may happen to come my way again."

Wallace singled out McGlynn as one of the major influences on his progress as a player, the teen star insting the Tynecastle youth coach is one of the club’s unsung heroes.

He said: "John is brilliant is with us and the guys all respond to the way he goes about things. He does great work with the youngsters at the club and I have a lot to be thankful.

"It has been some week for me and it was a dream come true to play for the Hearts first team. The manager showed a lot of faith in me by playing me against Kilmarnock and hopefully I can now repay him."

Taken from the Scotsman