Captain Fantastic

Jamie Hamill revealed his eagerness to 'put things right' on the park for Hearts, as he lifted silverware on Saturday in his debut as Hearts captain.

With skipper Danny Wilson still finding his fitness, Jamie took over the armband for the day, and ended up lifting the SDS Fans Cup in front of over 3000 Hearts supporters at East End Park..

Jamie had earlier gotten himself on the scoresheet with his second successful penalty of the pre-season campaign, after Brad McKay's thumping header put the boys in Maroon ahead in the 2-1 win over Dunfermline.

Reflecting on a fine afternoon's work, the full-back laughed as he described the unusual situation of lifting a trophy in his first match as captain.

"I've captained Hearts to a trophy. I was stitched up, we were all meant to go up and get it and they left me on my own looking like a plonker!", Hamill joked. "Getting a wee trophy will lift everybody's spirits, and the fans stayed with us until the end, which was great".

After a difficult few months, the Jambos will head into the new SPFL season on minus 15 points. The thought of overcoming that deficit hasn't fazed Jamie, nor any of his young teammates, with the Jambos set to have the youngest squad in the league by some margin.

"It's been a long summer, and we want to put things right on the park. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could have a successful season, we're all optimistic about the season and I'm looking forward to it", he said.

"The gaffer keeps stressing that the lads aren't kids any more now. They're all first team players, even though they're young. They're made of the right stuff, and all capable players. We've got a good group here.

"We just need to start the season well. Hopefully we can make up the points gap sooner, rather than later".

Lastly, the Hearts no.2 saved special praise for the Maroon hordes that made their way in droves across the Forth Road Bridge to pack out the away end of East End Park, describing their efforts over the past year as 'magnificent'.

"For so many fans to come over here and pay to get in, it's nothing short of magnificent," he said. "There's been a lot of publicity about the fans coming out to help the club, and long may it continue.

"For the younger lads, to get support like this can only help them over the weeks and months ahead".

Hearts World