Top line summary

  • The feeling of becoming a Hearts first-team player
  • An early return from the winter break to prepare for season return
  • Desire to help the younger members of the squad

Aidan Denholm was on media duties for Heart of Midlothian ahead of the Premiership encounter with Dundee on Tuesday evening.

The 20-year-old spoke about his role as being the most experienced of the younger group of players, how it feels to be a first-team player and why it was important he came in early during the winter break to hit the ground running for the second half of the season.

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It seems that you guys are enjoying it just now?

There's a real feel-good factor around the club just now. Coming in after the break, the first game back was Spartans in the Scottish Cup and the main thing was getting through to the next round. We have done that. Now it's about building momentum and trying to win on Tuesday and picking up three points on Saturday.

Have to ask, what about your jacket? (Zander Clark had made not of a new jacket Denholm had bought when walking past)

I've ordered a new jacket and I knew I was going to get some stick from some of the boys for it. It's definitely not green! But it is bold. It's something I like but the boys haven't taken to it too well. It's not expensive. I tend to stick to Zara and M&S, it's one of those and it's a good laugh. I've become really close with a few of the boys off the pitch. I can't speak highly enough of them, they've been different class with me this season. Not just on the pitch but off it too, making me feel really comfortable.

How does it feel being a fully-fledged first-team player now?

It's been good. Last season I was in and out, this is properly my first real season in and proper taste of it. It was different getting a winter break. It's probably the first season I've needed it as it's been full-on. I wouldn't change it for the world. I had time to recharge and now I want to get going again. I'm fully focused on helping the team as much as I can, whether that's starting or coming off the bench and making an impact. I'm more than happy to do so.

A lot of the boys went to Dubai, what did you do for the break?

I can't afford Dubai! That's too much, I went to Paris with my girlfriend for three nights. Some of the boys were slaughtering me for a bit of a photoshoot we did out there. I came in here afterward and did some work. I didn't train with anyone, it was just trying to make sure I was fully ready.  I feel like I'm in a great place mentally and fitness-wise and I'm raring to go.

Was it important to come in early and prepare for the second half of the season?

100 per cent, going away for a few days just to switch off from it and then coming back. When I knew I was coming in I had seven days here, I was in doing my own things and switching back to reality. We knew it would be a busy period, it was mentally preparing as well.

With Macaulay Tait and James Wilson making their debut it shows there is that pathway for the young boys?

100 per cent, Jamesy coming on and making his debut, absolutely buzzing for him. That is three academy boys that have played this season already, Finlay has been on the bench a few times this season as well. It shows there is a pathway, the B team has a lot of great players. Kirky (Makenzie Kirk) going on loan as well, it’s great. It’s about taking the opportunity when you get it. Macaulay did really well when he came on against Celtic then Jamesy against Spartans, it is an exciting time to be at this club because you know you will get opportunities, you just need to take it.

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Is there a drive that you all make it?

100 per cent, I think me, Macaulay and Finlay (Pollock) were warming up and Gordy (Forrest) came to us and said 'imagine you three playing midfield for Hearts'. It’s what you want to do, you want to be playing with your mates at Tynecastle in front of a big full crowd. We keep ourselves ticking over and driving each other. It is good competition and the young boys have done brilliantly this season. It's now about kicking on to keep yourself on the bench and pushing for a place in that team.

Do you see yourself, as the most experienced of the younger players, helping them?

It was weird the other day, Callum Sandilands came up to me and asked for advice for the first time, which was new to me. He was asking little things and I try to help as much as I can really. It is all new to me but if I can give little bits of advice… It’s weird seeing your name up in the first team changing room, it’s been brilliant.

Is there now a determination to kick on in the second half of the season?

For me it’s not just about the first half of the season, I want to kick on and strive for more and want to win trophies as this club. Spartans is ticked off and it’s Dundee and we’ll try and get another three points. That would put us eight points clear in third and we want to keep building that momentum, we did well going into the break and we’re looking at who we’ve got and I think there is a real chance we could kick on from there.