I need to be a dog like my wee pal Devlin
Calem’s getting feel for Scotland with Cam help
CHILLED-OUT Calem Nieuwenhof is adding the bite of compatriot Cammy Devlin to sink his teeth into life at full-blooded Hearts.
The 22-year-old is playing a big role in his side’s sensational run having gone from laid-back learner to charged-up influence.
Steven Naismith reckons Nieuwenhof ’s cool character may have initially held him back after moving from sunny Sydney to fiery Scotland.
But his increasing bark is helping Hearts make even more noise as they have stormed to a 10 wins in an 11-game sequence.
Nieuwenhof admits Naismith was right but dog-like Aussie pal Devlin is the ideal man from which to learn and become a terrier.
On the boss’s assessment, he said: “He’s not wrong, for sure. I’m a bit more of a laid back, reserved kind of guy.
“Coming over here to Scotland, football is so different. You can’t really be reserved on the pitch as I’ve learned. You need to go into game with that mindset that you are going to have to get stuck in and get involved.
“Cammy’s great to learn from. He’s a real dog and a really aggressive player. For sure that is something I can take from his game.
“That’s something I have really learned across the last few months and brought it into my game, just trying to get consistency into that side of my game, the physical aspect.”
Naismith spotted the talent at Western Sydney Wanderers and he’s shown the patience which has allowed his Aussie to blossom.
Nieuwenhof said: “I honestly couldn’t be any happier with the support Naisy has given me during the whole time I have been here.
“From the start he said it was a massive move for me coming from the other side of the world, a completely different style of football and lifestyle as well. He’s always said to me it is going to take time to settle in and get used to the league, the way teams play over here.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the trust he has put in me. I’m just really happy to get some consistency, play consistently and, hopefully, reward his faith.
“I’m definitely going into the team with that consistency. I’ve been playing week in, week out for the last few rounds. I’m feeling a lot more comfortable in the team and getting used to the way we play and the way we want to break down teams.
“I’ve been happy to play a role in Sunday’s game and the last few games. I’ve been happy with how it has been going.”
Niuewenhof’s Sunday reference came after Hearts dismantled Airdrie to charge into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with in-form Championship side Morton up next at Cappielow.
He hit his second goal in five games with a leftevery foot screamer and said: “That’s something I want to build into my game moving forward. Getting forward and getting into those positions more.
“Goals and assists will naturally come when you are getting into those positions and helping the team link up.
“I was able to get involved and link the play up moving forward. All around I was happy with the performance.”
Kenneth Vargas was also on the scoresheet in Lanarkshire and, along with his Aussie crew, Nieuwenhof admits the Costa Rican has helped him settle into Edinburgh. He said: “I’m still getting used to the cold! The city is awesome, I’ve really settled in and the boys have been great as well. We’ve got such a great bunch of guys in the dressing room. Everyone gets along as well which has made it that much easier. “The Aussie boys, they’ve been easy to talk to. And Kenny. We car pool together in the morning, so we spend a lot of time together. It’s been good. “He’s been teaching me Spanish and I have been teaching him English. It’s getting there! It is still pretty basic. “Kenny has really grown into Scottish football and he is going through a similar transition, so that has made it all the better.”