Hamill given one year to prove worth

INTERIM Hearts boss John McGlynn today warned Joe Hamill that he faces a make-or-break season for the Gorgie club.

The 21-year-old midfielder has signed a new one-year deal with the Jambos having been in negotiations for a number of weeks.

Hamill started last term as a first-team regular but the arrival of Saulius Mikoliunas and Deividas Cesnauskis curtailed his involvement towards the end of the campaign.

But the tricky winger now has the chance to prove he can become a mainstay of the Hearts side with the new deal. The coming campaign will be his fourth as a first-team squad player and McGlynn believes it's time the youngster proved he can hold down a regular starting place. He said: "I'm sure Joe would have been hoping for a two or three-year deal but this one-year deal gives him the opportunity to show he is worthy of a longer contract. This season, he really has to stake a claim. The chance is there for him to show what he can do."

And McGlynn, who also worked with the player within the Tynecastle youth set-up, has no doubts over Hamill's ability, adding: "There's no doubt Joe is a good player. He has bags of ability and is one of the trickiest players I've ever seen. He has the skill, he just needs more confidence and to be a bit more direct in his play.

"If he can manage this then he has the potential to be a very good player for Hearts."

Taken from the Scotsman