The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hamilton puts talk of future on hold as he focuses on Red Lichties
Hearts loanee Chris Hamilton reckons joining Arbroath is one of the best decisions he has ever made as he puts all talk of his future on hold.
The 20-year-old has played a key role in the defensive midfield position after initially being trialled as a rightback in Dick Campbell’s side.
Hamilton has featured 35 times in all competitions for the Gayfield side since joining on loan from the Jambos last summer.
His contract at Tynecastle is due to finish at the end of this month and he looks set to leave the Edinburgh club after 12 years.
But the Fife-born midfielder is determined to finish the job at Arbroath, by helping them to Premiership promotion, before looking to his next steps.
Asked whether staying at the Angus club was a possibility, Hamilton told Courier Sport: “It will be a case of sitting down in the summer with my agent and looking at all my options.
“I’ve not thought about anything too much.
“I’ve asked not to hear anything until the season is finished.
“I just want to focus everything I’ve got on Arbroath and do the best I can while I’m here.
“The club deserve for me to do that and that’s my focus for just now.”
Where Hamilton plays his football next season remains to be seen. What he is certain of though, is that joining Arbroath has helped him progress as a player and a person.
“It has been the best thing that has happened to me in my career so far,” he said of his time at Gayfield.
“I came in at the start of the season, in the hope of getting games under my belt.
“We thought we’d be challenging at the other end of the league and it would be a bit of a fight.
“But in terms of myself, this season has been massive. Everyone has helped me at the club, I’ve learned so much.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more this season.”
The admiration between Hamilton and the club flows both ways, with the Scotland U21 recently voted young player of the year by Arbroath fans.
The modest youngster said it was gratefully received but expressed his gratitude to his defensive team-mates.
“It meant a lot,” Hamilton said.
“It’s always good to pick up individual awards. But the team have been unbelievable.
“It’s easy to do my role when you’ve got boys like Ricky (Little), Tam (O’Brien), Jason (Thomson) and Colin (Hamilton) and the boys in front of me.
“It was nice to pick up the award, but the team has been magnificent.”