Happy birthday, Jack! Your country needs you
JACK HAMILTON was quietly celebrating his 23rd birthday at home when the phone rang.
On the other end was Scotland goalkeeper coach Jim Stewart, offering a callup to Gordon Strachan’s squad for the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.
The Hearts shotstopper knew he had next to no chance of being involved in the game itself but leapt at the opportunity to train with Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor in the build-up. By Graeme Croser
Deep into his first season as the Tynecastle No1, he was happy to step up a level and resume the back-up role he had filled during McGregor’s absence with a back injury.
‘I was due in for training in the morning so although it was my birthday I was just sitting in having a quiet night,’ explained Hamilton. ‘Jim Stewart phoned me and I was a bit surprised; “What’s he phoning me for, a catch-up?”
‘He said Marsh (David Marshall) had a wee problem so would I be available to meet up on the Thursday morning. I jumped at that. You can’t ask for much more.’
Hamilton will be between the sticks today as Celtic attempt to clinch the title at Tynecastle. Six of Brendan Rodgers’ side started for Scotland in last Sunday’s 1-0 win but Hamilton did not need to train with the likes of Stuart Armstrong and Leigh Griffiths to recognise the threat they carry.
Hearts have plenty to play for, having fallen behind St Johnstone in the reckoning for a European place.
‘There’s no point worrying about Celtic winning the title and taking their unbeaten record because, although that would be brilliant, we need to concentrate on trying to get ourselves going again.
‘With the size of this club we need to be in Europe.’