Hackett not holding anything in reserve in bid for first XI

OF all the major new signings who invaded Tynecastle mob-handed on transfer deadline day, Chris Hackett remains the only one yet to experience first-team football with his new employers.

Mirsad Beslija, Martin Petras, Ludek Straceny, Bruno Aguiar, Jose Goncalves and Juho Makela have all, at one stage or another since January 31, dipped a toe into top-team waters under Graham Rix whilst Hackett has been restricted to VIP seats in the stand.

An ankle injury sustained in his final game for former club Oxford United against Shrewsbury Town, which they eventually lost 3-0, has hitherto precluded Hackett from savouring his Hearts debut, although the 22-year-old did manage to pull a maroon shirt over his head at Forthbank yesterday in the 1-1 reserve draw with Aberdeen.

The simple act of participation, even in such a low-key game, allowed Hackett to release a notable portion of the frustration that has been building as he watched new player after new player properly introduce himself to the Tynecastle support.

His twisted ankle repaired, he now has the appreciable task of breaching the extensive first-team squad under Rix's command, and beyond that imposing himself upon the club's record signing, Mirsad Beslija, to compete for the coveted right-wing slot.

"When you are at a club who are challenging for Champions League football you expect players of real quality and internationalists," reflected Hackett. "I'm confident in my own ability. I've come here to play, so now it's up to me to show what I can do. The games are very quick and very passionate up here.

"When I get up to fitness, I'm quick. That's a big part of my game, I like to get on the ball and get running at pace

" It was great to get the shirt on yesterday because it's been a frustrating period with the injury. That was five weeks since I last played so it was good to get out there and get a feel for playing for Hearts. Getting fitness is the main thing.

"I turned my ankle in my last game for Oxford, just before I signed for Hearts. That was frustrating for me and I've had to try and overcome the injury over the last few weeks, but I'm feeling stronger all the time."

Rix flew directly from his family home in Southampton to take in yesterday's encounter in Stirling, the head coach eager to witness the latest instalment in his new player's fitness fight as well as the involvement of Juho Makela and Edgaras Jankauskas, right, with the second string.

"Graham told me to come and enjoy it at Hearts; express myself and show what I can do," continued Hackett, who experienced much of his evolution as a footballer under Rix at Oxford. "There hasn't been any pressure at all, he just wants me to do what I'm good at. I'm still in a hotel at the moment and I'm in the process of getting somewhere to live in the city. Edinburgh is a really lovely place and I've really enjoyed it with the club so far. My girlfriend will come up and live here permanently with me and my family will come up for the games, so that will also help."

Although very much still one of the newcomers, Hackett's initial period at Hearts has been heavily peppered with drama. From interference in team selection to surprising appointments in the director of football role, the word "eventful" would easily encapsulate his first few weeks in Scotland.

A humble upbringing and a wide-ranging social circle has taught the winger to remain grounded at all times, though. "There were one or two issues to be sorted out here but I knew things would be fine. I don't regard them as anything other than little minor blips.

"With everything out of the way all I can see is a great club who are on the up and want to achieve things. The supporters are exactly the same.

"I speak to the boys down at Oxford and a lot of my friends play in the leagues down south.

"I'm a pretty down to earth person and I try to get on with everybody. I've got friends who play in the Premiership and I have friends playing non-league football, so I surround myself with a wide range of folk.

"All of them recognise this as a fantastic opportunity for me.

"My girlfriend is here at the moment so I've been spending some time with her.

"Lee Johnson and Neil McCann are in the hotel with me too and we get on very well. We usually have dinner together but I've been working really hard trying to get myself fit so I've not been getting back to the hotel till sometimes four and five o'clock."

The endeavour has been necessary to facilitate his return to fitness. Now that the excessive gym work and physiotherapy is over, it's time to sit back and watch one of the quickest players ever to don a Hearts shirt really go.

Taken from the Scotsman