Hill hopes to hit it off in Gorgie after advice from Christie
Bournemouth defender believes loan will help him in England
JAMES HILL admits he was encouraged to make the move to Hearts by Bournemouth team- mate Ryan Christie. And just like the former Celtic playmaker used his own loan experience to become an influential figure at Parkhead, the 21- year- old regards his temporary switch to Tynecastle as pivotal in his attempts to return to Cherries as a better player.
The England Under- 21 defender joined Robbie Neilson’s side on Monday on a deal until the end of the season and could make his debut in this evening’s visit of St Mirren.
Hill is yet to feature for the English top- flight side this season, and is now eager to get back playing regular football for the first time since leaving Fleetwood for the south coach a year ago.
Bournemouth team- mate Christie was not shy imparting his knowledge of football north of the border.
The Scotland international is also acutely aware of the importance of loan spells, after building on the success of his time at Aberdeen when he returned to Celtic in in 2018.
“Ryan was talking to me just before I came here, saying how much he loved it and how much I would enjoy it and develop and learn from it,” said Hill.
“So hopefully I can make an impression then go back to Bournemouth and give myself a fighting chance for the starting XI.
“He talked about the atmosphere and the fan base. The fan bases at different clubs is massive and he spoke about the different stadiums you go to, with some on Astroturf, some on grass, and sometimes you are playing in front of thousands of fans and sometimes you won’t be.
“All those things will be really good for me and, obviously, he said the atmosphere at Celtic and Rangers is incredible and that is something you want to experience.
“As you move up through the different stages of football, the crowds get bigger and you have to deal with that pressure. I think this could be really good for me.”
Hill made his debut for Fleetwood as a 16- year- old under then boss Joey Barton before then going on to be sold to the Cherries for a reported £ 1million.
Hill credits his upbringing under former Rangers midfielder Barton as crucial to his development.
“That was really tough but how tough he was on me at times, the way he played and the standards he set in training is really what started me off,” said Hill.
“He was that kind of person who
went into training every day and said ‘ right, I’m going to take your shirt’.
“As a youngster, that was all I kept thinking. He’s the kind of manager who will go in, look at the first- team players and go ‘ listen, I’m taking your shirt’.
“By the time pre- season finished, I was making my debut at Leicester at the King Power, coming off the bench with 30 minutes to go.
“That was incredible for me and I wanted more. I was so hungry to get more of that.
“He was tough. If you mess up a
passing drill, you are walking back over to the under- 18s. But that’s what I loved.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Robinson revealed his staff are working flat out to help cut costs following St Mirren’s loss of £ 1.6million last year.
The Paisley club shared “extremely disappointing” results in the financial year from May 2021 to May 2022 as a “result of the impacts of Covid extending longer than anticipated, and a number of increased and exceptional costs”.
Ahead of the cinch Premiership
“The club has put procedures in place and cut certain things to make the business viable. We have to work within our means.
“Keith [ Lasley, chief operating officer] came in to the club in June.
“I can’t comment with any clarity on the financial year before me but since the summer we have worked on turning the business into a viable asset.
“We work with four first- team staff. It is small but I have to credit them. You asked me how it has affected us. We made sure it hasn’t affected us.
“I have one physio, Gerry Docherty, who doesn’t have a day off. I have one strength and conditioning coach [ Gary McColl] who works in the academy as well and works incredible hours.
“My assistant manager [ Diarmuid O’Carroll] who does the analysis and goes above and beyond everything that is done at a football club to make sure we protect what we are doing.
“So far we have done that and we will continue to do that and it is a credit to the people we have got around us.”