In full: Aidan Denholm ecstatic to earn new Hearts deal

Here's everything the teenage midfielder had to say:

How does it feel?

Words can't really describe it. I was just focusing on my football and trying to get back in the team. My agent came to me about a new deal and it was something I wanted to get done straight away. I've been a Jambo all my life and I wanted to get it signed.

Your second deal in just four months?

I got told the news I was getting let go, which happens in football. It's someone's opinion and you need to respect it as much as you can. I was so disappointed but I still came in to train. When Naisy got the job, we had a conversation and I didn't think it would go this well. Coming on against Rosenborg was a real chance. I signed for a year [in the summer after he was told he was being released] until June 2024. Then I've been offered something longer-term so I signed because this is where I want to be. I said to my agent I was happy to stay if Hearts came forward with anything. There's a right good feel about the building just now. We got the result on Tuesday and we're going to Hampden, so I'm buzzing. The new deal shows they trust me. Playing me in a game like Rosenborg shows they trust me as well. I've never had a long-term deal. I was part-time at the start then had to work my way up. I kept signing one-year deals so this is the first time I've signed anything more. Having that security is good for my family. It's a gamble signing a one-year deal. It always keeps you on your toes. Now I've signed a long-term contract, it doesn't stop there. I need to keep going, get back in the team. I have to be patient. We had a few injuries when we played Rosenborg and that's why my chance came. Boys have come back and done well but when called upon I need to be ready.

Some players get complacent on a long-term deal but will you use this as a platform?

I've seen so many boys sign long-term deals and it doesn't work out. I want to stay as humble as I can. I want to keep pushing. It's a great honour to be offered something until 2026 at Heart of Midlothian, one of the biggest clubs in Scotland. That doesn't stop the hard work. I have aspirations to get back in the team. If that means I have to go on loan in January then it's something we talk about. If not, I'll be ready.

READ MORE: New deal for Denholm, injury situation and preparing for Ross County - video

Do you need to rein yourself in?

You can't get too carried away. The boys have kept me humble as well. The highs of Rosenborg, then you need to relax, there was a wee mistake in the Dundee game but it's about how you bounce back from that. Obviously I was disappointed but I have to show character. The club see a future for me and it's about repaying them. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Not many Hearts kids make this step.

So many young boys have texted me saying they are delighted for me. It has shown Hearts are willing to play young boys. Credit to Naisy, Frankie and Gordy that they're willing to do it on the biggest stage. It shows if you do extras and other little things then it does catch the manager's eye. I need to be a role model.

Did you see the photo of young Denholm on social media?

I signed when I was eight and it's not a great photo. I'd like to think my hair has got better. I'm a Jambo who has come through all the ranks. I haven't had an easy time but I wouldn't have it any other way. If anything, it has made me the person I am. I like challenges and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

How big was the loan spell at Berwick?

I can't speak highly enough of Berwick Rangers. I went there when I was 16. It was my first real taste of men's football, went there trying to get games under my belt and managed to do so. I was on loan at East Fife as well. That went fairly well. It started off good but towards the end didn't get many minutes. I learned so much from those two loans but this season has been the real eye opener, these six games I've had have just opened up everything. I have learned so much in those six games. It's been brilliant. 

Who was the Berwick manager?

Stuart Malcolm. I can't speak highly enough of him. A young lad going to Berwick at 16, he was willing to play me and I learned so much from him.

READ MORE: The evolution of Cammy Devlin: From midfield dictator to Hearts' all-action man

How much have you learned from Steven Naismith? Can you draw on his experience?

Me and Naisy have a good relationship. Obviously had him at the B team and throughout. In the B team he was brilliant with me. When I was let go he still text me, made sure I had plans to stay in football because many boys when they get released your head can go, it can go either way, you don't want to play football any more. He was telling me to keep going. I was on trial with a team down south when me and him had the conversation I was on the phone to my agent 'listen, this is where I want to be, I want to be back here'. It was only a year deal and I know I had a year to prove so went away in pre-season, did fairly well then Rosenborg away, first time coming on. It's been brilliant.

Those six games you played could have been sink or swim?

Don't get me wrong, you just try to go on and make an impact. Rosenborg away, two-nil down, you just go on and try to make an impact. To be fair, they have the trust to bring you on, it's more showing you can do it. The B team have some special talents coming through so it shows them that if he is coming through and doing it then maybe I can. It is good for all parties to be fair. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

I'd probably say Steven Naismith. There are others as well. John Rankin, I had him at 18s, he was brilliant. With everything I have gone through he knows I've not had an easy path. I was offered part-time at the start of my journey when I was 16 so I didn't get offered any deal, it was part-time, coming in and not getting paid. Then it went to expenses and then I got offered a deal eventually but it was Covid time. It was a weird time really. Steven Naismith has been brilliant with me. Now he is saying to me, 'you need to be patient, your time will come again, it's more just keeping your body ready for when I need to rely on you to come on'.

You were basically playing for Hearts for nothing?

At 16 you get told if you are getting a deal or not. At the time they offered me part-time. It was something me and my family discussed, what do I want to do and stuff. I said that I need to prove I am worth being here. I just kept the head down and got paid expenses. I was still at school at the time so doing football and school. They were asking me to come in a lot so I left school, my gamble really. Luckily it paid off. I got offered a year then Covid hit. I just kept working through. Now to have the deal until 2026 is something which is a bit surreal after that journey.

Have you ever had a part-time job?

During Covid I applied for a job at Tesco because I wasn't actually employed by anyone so I was trying to get some money in my back pocket but I've never had a part-time job.

READ MORE: Hearts and the unwanted Rangers, League Cup and Hampden records they need to end

With the expenses, were you just claiming for the bus?

So I couldn't drive at the time so it was my grandma who would drive me up and down. My grandma [Anne] got paid petrol money. Steven Naismith has been the biggest influence but also my family, I can't speak highly enough of them. My grandma taking me in when I was 16, it is something which sticks without. 

Was there any point on the journey where you thought 'this isn't going to happen'?

I wouldn't say not happen, but there were many times you see other boys doing well and you are just like 'why can't that be me'. When I was part-time Aaron Hickey was coming through and you use him as an inspiration, looking 'wow, look at his career now'. I would never think it is not going to happen. It might not happen here, that's what I was thinking, it could be somewhere else but luckily enough it has been here and I am delighted I am still here in the building. I'd have always played football and kept going if it wasn't here.

Were you quite academic, did you enjoy going to school?

I enjoyed the social side, I didn't enjoy the academic side! I was trying to do my highers and football. Because I was part-time my mum and dad were saying, 'you can't rely on part-time football, it's not really a job'. I was with the 18s at the time, coming in at night training with the 16s but playing with the 18s on a Friday night when I could. I was saying to Hearts, 'I need to do school'. I started doing really well when I turned 16 and started playing for the reserves under Andy Kirk, he was also really good with me. That was when I decided I was going to go football full-time because it was getting too much and thankfully it has paid off.

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