Jamie not little Bhoy any more
Jamie Brandon is braced for anything the derby throws at him – because nothing will ever freak him out more than his Hearts debut.
The ful l- back is one of six teenagers who have been crucial to the Jambos’ revival under Craig Levein this season.
But as the 19-year-old geared up for his third outing against Hibs in just 14 first-team games, he said: “You just approach it like any other game – it doesn’t really affect me.
“The only time I felt like that was my debut at Celtic Park up against Scott Sinclair. I thought I’d played about 20 minutes – I looked up at the scoreboard and we were just four minutes in.
“It is hard not to get caught up in everything around the derby but I do enjoy the big occasions. It’s what players thrive on.”
Despite being three years older than team-mates Harry Cochrane and Anthony McDonald, Brandon said: “I’m still one of the kids – I’m still in the 20s changing room.
“I’m not experienced and I can’t take anything for granted about being in the team. The aim is to get into the main changing room eventually – that’s the next step.
“But the manager always trusts us. He speaks to us young guys before games like he speaks to all the other players.”
Levein may have put his faith in Brandon but at least he knows the ex-Rangers kid is well protected by the experience around him.
Brandon said: “It helps when you have players like Aaron Hughes and Christophe Berra there.
“John Souttar’s another who may only be 21 but has played so many games. These boys are all talking you through games.
“Christophe especially is always telling you where he wants you to be which is helpful for a young player. He’s one of the guys I look up to – he has international caps.
“It’s the same with Aaron and Michael Smith. You watch them in training. They help you out and take you aside. You take any advice they give you because it’s all about helping us become better players.”
Brandon has played his part in a six-match clean sheet run which is now the best in the club’s history.
But he said: “It’s not all about clean sheets – it’s about winning games. If we lose a goal and win 2-1 that’s the way it is. You’d rather take that than draw 0- 0.”