Back with a bang

Hearts full-back Jamie Hamill was delighted to be back on the scoresheet for the first time in 14 months in Saturday's 3-0 win over St Mirren at Tynecastle.

Netting for the first time since the Scottish Cup quarter final replay - also against St Mirren - back in March 2012, his spot kick complimented earlier first-half strikes from youngsters Jamie Walker and Kevin McHattie.

Reflecting on a fine individual performance, Hamill revealed he'd had his eye on penalty duty ever since getting back into the side, but admitted he'd been made to wait by teammate Ryan Stevenson.

"I'm glad to be getting back", he said. "Stevo's been on the penalties, but we've been having a bit of banter about it. Once he missed one, he wasn't getting another chance!"

The last time the two sides met was six weeks ago at Hampden, with the Buddies coming out on top in a pulsating Scottish Communities League Cup Final. Despite the loss, however, Jamie admitted 'revenge' was far from the forefront of the players' minds.

"We took a massive support to Hampden and we couldn't get the result on the day, but revenge wasn't on our minds today," he said. "It doesn't work that way. We were professional and treated it like any other game."

Despite a mixed season in terms of results and league position, one real bright spot has been the emergence of some truly gifted players from the Football Academy at Riccarton. With many players earning international recognition in their respective age groups this season, the future at Tynecastle is seen by many as very bright.

Jamie offered his own views on what the youngsters would require to keep up their outstanding form, as well as hinting that there was plenty of life left in him as well.

"The young boys are flying just now, but give me a good pre-season and I'll be up running at the front with them again", he said, with a laugh.

"Rehab's not too hard, but it's a long slog and you just have to keep repeating things, which is why it's good to get back playing again.

"We have a great youth set-up here. The way football is in Scotland just now, we need to rely on youth but they need a few old heads to guide them. There's a few of us left here who'll step in and do that, but you can see how good the boys are."

Hearts World