A six-year-old Yan Dhanda is playing in his back garden in the West Midlands honing a talent that would become a craft that would take him to trials with Aston Villa, West Brom and Chelsea. Then to Liverpool, Swansea City and Ross County. And now Heart of Midlothian.

As he kicks the ball around with his family - his dad, his uncle, his grandad - he is becoming aware of a football club that are situated nearly 300 miles away from his home. His uncle and grandad, regular visitors, are checking scores and, if they are lucky, watching their team on TV. That team, of course, is Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

Dhanda surprised many late last season when, with a deal already agreed to join Hearts once his Ross County contract had expired, he told members of the press that his uncle and grandad were season-ticket holders at Tynecastle Park. He has always been aware of the men in maroon. 

"My mum's mum moved to Scotland and married a Scottish man," he explained. "My mum's half-brother is from Edinburgh so that is my uncle and my grandad. They have always lived in Edinburgh and he was always a Hearts fan.

"When my uncle was born, he grew up a Hearts fan as well. He has had a season ticket with my grandad.

"My nan, uncle and grandad would always come to Birmingham every three or four months. Since I was six, playing football in the garden my uncle and grandad would be checking the Hearts scores or watching the Hearts games at my house."

He added: "When I went to Ross County my uncle was a big part of it saying, 'Come to Scotland because you will stand out'. I spoke to him because he knows Scottish football inside and out. He was like, 'The way you play you will stand out'. He said Ross County is far but at the same time I was going to play and that's all I wanted, to play games."

Fast forward 17 years from the wee boy playing in his back garden. Dhanda was leaving Swansea City and made the decision to come north - very north - to Dingwall and join County. His first taste of Scottish football came in the League Cup group stage. Buckie Thistle, Dunfermline Atheltic, Alloa Athletic and then East Fife, who he recorded three assists against in a 7-0 win.

But then his league debut? Hearts and Tynecastle Park in the opening game of the 2021/22 Premiership season. Dhanda's first experience of Gorgie. The fans, the stadium, the city. It was all he needed to know. Five games into his County career he already wanted to join Hearts.

It was a feeling that only grew stronger and stronger. Aided by former Hearts player and current Ross County boss Don Cowie.

Dhanda revealed Don Cowie wanted him to join Hearts.Dhanda revealed Don Cowie wanted him to join Hearts. (Image: SNS)

"I had about 20 of my family there," he said of that fixture which Hearts won 2-1. "We went for food in Edinburgh after and I was saying to my girlfriend, my mum and dad, 'Hearts is where I need to be'.

"Obviously, it is in the family but after seeing the stadium and the fans I knew it was where I needed to play. Every time we had a game against Hearts with Ross County, Don Cowie would come to me and say, 'This is where you need to be'. It was the only team.

"He was here so he knows how good it is and he would say Hearts are the team you need to be at next. When we were in the tunnel he would come and say, 'This is where you need to be so go and show it'.

"I had a couple of good games against Hearts and kept saying to my girlfriend and my parents, 'I hope Hearts try and sign me'. Then in January when I had the phone call [with Naismith] I was so happy. Even the game before [scoring a stunning free-kick at Tynecastle] I did alright. I just tried to play well in every game and hope Hearts sign me."

Even in Scotland where Hearts are such a significant presence, it is still rare for a new player to have a connection with a club the way Dhanda does with the Jam Tarts. But when the 25-year-old at one point confesses to his "love" of the men in maroon it is natural. Not forced or hammed up.

The affection is genuine. As is the desire to be at Tynecastle Park.

It is a move that could have happened sooner with Hearts understood to have been keen on the player last year but nothing materialised. 

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"Last year I know there was a bit of interest, they liked the way I played in my first season at Ross County," Dhanda confirmed. "Nothing really came of it. I wanted to come to Hearts anyway before I spoke to Naismith because of my family, the stadium and fans.

"But when I spoke to him, the plans he had for me and how he could improve me as a player to go to the next level. Everything made sense. My girlfriend wanted to live in Edinburgh and I love Hearts so everything made sense."

Dhanda credits the move to Ross County as the "best thing" that could have happened after leaving Swansea.

It was a move that raised eyebrows, a sentiment the player agreed with. But it was important because he was going to be given a run of games. He played more games in two seasons in Dingwall than he did in four seasons in Wales. 

"There were a couple of clubs in Scotland and a couple in England [interested after leaving Swansea] but I just wanted to play," he said. "People were quite shocked when I went from Swansea to Ross County but at that point, I just knew I wanted to play games.

"Ross County said we will guarantee you games. That's all I wanted. I didn't care if I was dropping down because I knew if I had consistent games I could prove [myself] and go to the next level. I just wanted it to be down to me. If I get consistent games it is up to me if I take it or not.

"It was an opportunity in Scotland to show what I could do. At that stage, when leaving Swansea, I wasn't too bothered where I was going or staying at home or playing in England I just wanted to go where I was guaranteed to play football.

"I went there and played every game but at the same time performed to stay in the team. It's all I wanted really and I knew if I got that opportunity to play consistent games I would kick on. I am here now and want to do the same thing. I feel like I can improve here even more and go to the next level so, yeah, I am excited."

Dhanda arrives at Hearts as a more rounded player.

He was grateful for what he learned as a Ross County working under Malky Mackay and Don Cowie. He evolved from someone who was so used to playing possession to football to being part of a team that were more direct and counter-attacked. His defensive qualities became more prominent as did his conditioning. 

"When I was at Swansea, all I ever knew was possession," he noted. "Even Liverpool academy you have over 60 per cent of the ball most games and it is all positional, going forward, keeping the ball and when you lose the ball you get it back straight away so I was used to that.

"I went to Ross County and feel I enjoyed playing without the ball now because you don't have as much of the ball, it's more counter-attacking, direct. I feel I got fitter and stronger and out of possession I feel I enjoy it.

"I've learned so much, especially from Malky Mackay because he was a defender. He taught me a lot as a person. I think he was a great guy, family wise he helped me. I learned so much from him and Don Cowie as well, he was more attacking. I had a good balance up there.

"Don really wanted me to come here and even in January when Naismith spoke to him and Don said, 'I'm telling you, Hearts is the place for you to go'. We had that relationship. Even though he knew I was coming here he knew what I was like as a person and I wouldn't sack it off or do anything like that, I wanted to keep Ross County up because of how good they have been for me.

"Me coming to Hearts was the perfect move."

He added: "The facilities are unbelievable, the talent in the team is so good and the style of play is a lot different. Ross County was more counter-attack and direct football, whereas here is more about possession. I feel that suits me a lot more.

"The quality of players here is better as well. I feel I can play one-twos with people and they are on the same page so I'm really enjoying it."

Out of the seven summer signings, Dhanda is perhaps the one that has generated most excitement from fans. 

It goes back to the final meeting between Hearts and Ross County last season. A big travelling support made their way to Dingwall and sung Dhanda's name despite the team losing to the Staggies.

"I had loads of messages but I couldn't say I'd signed or that I was definitely coming to Hearts," he said. "I know how passionate they are about the club and how much it means to them.

"It was unbelievable, really. I know how good the fans are through my uncle and grandad, but when opposition fans sing your name it makes you feel so happy. I knew I was coming here although it wasn't publicly announced. I couldn't wait to get here.

"When I signed, I knew I had to play on at Ross County and keep them up but, at the same time, I was so excited for the summer to move to Edinburgh and play for Hearts. Since I've been in Scotland, I've always wanted to be at Hearts. The way it happened was nice."

Dhanda celebrates scoring against Hibs.Dhanda celebrates scoring against Hibs. (Image: SNS)

Now, it would be remiss not to mention Dhanda's goal toward the end of the season against Hibs. It was one which prompted a noted celebration. A celebration that was certainly picked up by Hearts fans.

"I had quite a bit of stick from Hibs fans during that game," he said. "I thought I would give them something back. Every time I was taking a corner or was over there, I was getting quite a lot of abuse. It goes both ways. If they are going to give it then they have to expect it back. They didn't like it but I had it planned.

"I had a feeling I was going to score. Every time I was taking a corner and getting abused, I thought I was going to score. When I did, I obviously had it ready in my head to do it. The Hibs fans had seen I was coming to Hearts and I was given abuse. We have to take it, it's part of the game, so I feel it was tit-for-tat when I celebrated. If they give it then they have to expect to take it."

Goals against the team from Leith matter more. They possess a transformative power. Has he thought about a possible winner in an Edinburgh derby and what his celebration would be?

"I definitely will do something," he smiled. "I haven't thought what it will be yet. I didn't know what I was going to do when I scored against Hibs. I knew I would do something to give them some back but it kind of just happened naturally.

"I was in the perfect place right in front of them. Scoring in a derby would be perfect, so hopefully it happens."

If it does it will be a key staging post in Dhanda's career. A career that has been trending toward Tynecastle Park. A move that has been nearly 20 years in the making.