Break may paydividends for JamTarts
HE rubbed shoulders with Celtic stars for Scotland last week, but Jack Hamilton hopes it’s Hearts getaway to St Andrews which will prove more significant when the clubs meet at Tynecastle this afternoon.
While Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops have marched on relentlessly in pursuit of the title and the Treble, the Edinburgh side have faltered.
They crashed out to Hibs in the Scottish Cup, and in the league have suffered wounding defeats to Partick Thistle, Ross County and Aberdeen.
To try to arrest the slide, manager Ian Cathro decided on a trip to the seaside of north-east Fife.
“Sometimes things don’t go your way, which has been the case with us recently,” said the 23-year-old.
“But we have a good squad. So it’s about trying to get everybody together.
“Not having a game over the international break let us do that. It gave us a few days of team bonding.
“We went to St Andrews for a couple of days, which was good just to get to know people and spend more time with them.
“And, of course, we have been working on how we can get better. Hopefully, we can put it right now.”
Hamilton’s part in the exercise was cut short by his unexpected summons to the national squad.
“It was a great experience, made that bit better by the fact we got the win against Slovenia,” he said.
“I got the call on the Wednesday night. My birthday, actually. You can’t ask for a much better present.”
It was a gift that soon had him on the training pitch and in the firing line of Celtic’s on- form Scotland attackers – Stuart Armstrong, Leigh Griffiths and James Forrest.
“They are all fantastic players, but you are concentrating on keeping yourself right in the training and warm-ups,” he said.
“We know how good Celtic are and it would be brilliant to see them go the whole season unbeaten domestically, a huge achievement.
“But there’s no point worrying about their winning the title or taking their unbeaten record.
“With luck, these thoughts can be a distraction for them as we concentrate on getting ourselves going again.”