Halkett tips Japanese ace to get Jambos on up
CRAIG HALKETT insists the climb for Hearts up the Premiership table could start on the road to Ryo.
The Jambos defender hailed the arrival of Japanese star Ryotaro Meshino on loan from Manchester City last month and believes it could signal a change of fortunes at Tynecastle.
Craig Levein’s side sit second bottom of the league with just two points from four outings and Halkett is hoping his team-mate’s impact can rival former Celtic star and fellow countryman Shunsuke Nakamura.
He said: “Meshino is a really good technical player and has settled in well. We call him Ryo.
“His English is coming on as he’s started to learn. He could be a big player for us, he’s something different and the type of player the league may not have seen before. He can definitely show his worth in the coming weeks.
“It’s still early as he’s only been in for a couple of weeks but from I’ve seen of him he’s right up there with anyone I’ve played with.
“It’s a bit early to compare him to Nakamura but hopefully he can get to that level.”
Halkett is also aware of the discontent in Gorgie over the dismal start his side have made to the campaign and with a derby with Hibs coming after Saturday’s g.parks@dailyrecord.co.uk meeting with Motherwell the 24-year-old knows an instant improvement is required.
He said: “It’s right to say the start has been a bit disappointing with the results but I don’t think we are far away at all. If you look at the games then they’re probably games which we should have taken more points from.
“It’s maybe been down to individual mistakes or lapses in concentration which have cost us so I don’t believe there is much to worry about.
“From the outside and from the view of the fans they have every right to be disappointed as we are nowhere near where we should be on the table.
“But I believe we are definitely not far away. It’s important to bounce back sooner rather than later with the derby coming up in a couple of weeks.
“You could say there’s now an extra incentive to get a good win on Saturday but even if the derby was months away you’d still want to get a win and then another couple of wins on top of that to gain a bit of momentum and climb back up the table.”
It’s a far cry from Halkett’s first taste of life in the Premiership last season with Livingston but he’s adamant he thrives on the increased level of expectation at Hearts and it’s a challenge he’s learning to relish.
He said: “The expectation levels are completely different from last season at Livingston.
“When you are playing for Hearts you are playing for one of the biggest clubs in the league and are expected to win most games if not them all.
“So the expectations are a lot different and it’s something I’m getting used to.
“It’s a good thing for me, as a footballer you want to play on a Saturday knowing the three points are massive.
“It makes it more important when you have a far bigger crowd watching and an increased expectation on your back. It’s something you feed off.
“When I joined Hearts I realised the fans can get on your back a bit if things aren’t going well.
“But on the flip side, if you start to win a few games then it’s an amazing place to play.
“The Hearts crowd are one of the best in the country for getting behind you. Last season when I was a Livingston player going up against Hearts it was the same as going in against Celtic or Rangers. It was always like a cup final.
“You want to do everything and you try that we bit harder, run that bit faster and try to do that extra bit to get the points.
“Tynecastle is a great place to play for opposing clubs so as Hearts player it’s something we need to deal with.”
GORDON PARKS