McKay: "We're hungry to succeed"

Brad McKay knows the fight is there in the Hearts dressing room to tackle what will be challenging season, but he's determined to take it one step at a time.

The big centre back had a starring role in the Jambos' 2-0 victory over Crusaders on Thursday night and he wants to continue to make his mark in the top team.

Speaking to the press on Thursday night, Brad said: "We've got to take every game as it comes, St Johnstone being the first. Then we'll look to the Hibs game after that. I'll not say: 'We're going to give them a doing', I'll take each game as it comes and do my taking on the pitch.

"I'm just trying to get as many games as I can in the first team and try and stake a claim for a spot in the team. I'll play anywhere, absolutely anywhere on the park. If I was told to play here, there or anywhere I'll do it for the team. That's the mentality everybody's got to have in the dressing room, and everyone has it.

"Everyone's hungry and everyone's hungry to succeed at Hearts, so as long as we've got that at the club I think we'll be alright."

Brad, a relative latecomer to the pro game, took the time to explain how a spell shifting around boys club teams helped him to earn his dream move to Tynecastle three years ago.

"I knew a lot of people watched Edinburgh City that didn't watch Tynecastle, which is where I was before," he said. "It was a move I had to make to get to where I am now.

"I signed from Edinburgh City when I was 17. So I was a latecomer to the game and into the professional side of things.

"I love Hearts. I had a lot of offers on the table but Hearts was always on my mind and I was always gong to sign for them."

Hearts World