Inside Calem Nieuwenhof's rise to Hearts become Hearts regular

Two options would present themselves. A pass into Kenneth Vargas or out wide to Dexter Lembikisa. With three Airdrieonians players in his vicinity, he appeared to flick a switch that allowed him to play at 0.5 speed, confidently cutting the ball back onto his left. Everyone was expecting a shot. Seeing two opponents commit themselves he took a beat, then a deft touch with his right to set himself again before firing low into the corner. 

It was a fine strike. A fine goal. From an increasingly fine player. In those 15 or so seconds, from winning the ball to scoring he displayed all the qualities that are coming to the fore in the Hearts midfield. Reacting quickly, being assertive, using the ball well, direct running, being aware of his surroundings and control.

READ MORE: Calem Nieuwenhof Q&A: Hearts form, Vargas bond, beating Hibs importance

An aspect of his personality that may have frustrated some fans earlier in the campaign, is something that makes him such a key member of the Hearts squad.

"The character he is, he’s a reserved person and is really chilled out," head coach Steven Naismith said. "That probably went against him in his first few months when he was finding his feet."

When his manager's view on his character was put to the player, Nieuwenhof supported the opinion.

"He's not wrong, for sure," the 22-year-old admitted. "I'm a bit more of a laidback, 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 every game with that mindset that you are going to have to get stuck in and get involved. That's something I have really learned across the last few months and brought it into my game and just trying to get consistency into that side of my game, the physical aspect."

Yet, even as he has learned that side of the game, when you watch Nieuwnhof in action he still looks relatively laidback, certainly in possession. He has never once looked flustered. Maybe unsure and a bit tentative but never overwhelmed by what is expected of him. He has brought increased composure to the midfield. He is constantly assessing the midfield battle, he is adept at enticing opponents towards him before moving the ball on quickly or luring them into a trap before a drop of the shoulder or a flick of the boot takes him away.

Naismith spoke of seeing his quality in training - "his calmness in possession, his understanding of the game, his range of passing, and he is a goal threat as well" - but that has all translated onto the pitch.

Look at his recent minutes. He has played 89 or more minutes in eight of the last nine outings, only missing the win over The Spartans when he was on the bench. Only five other outfield players have featured more than him across the season (Frankie Kent, Lawrence Shankland, Kye Rowles, Stephen Kingsley and Alex Cochrane).

It is impressive for someone who is still pretty young, has made a huge professional and personal move in his career and has taken time to adapt to the league. 

"I think that’s important with his age and the energy that he has got," Naismith said when asked about him rarely being taken out of games. "He’s one of the fittest players at the club. What he brings on and off the ball is really important."

READ MORE: Shankland role, attack the wings and Vargas positioning: How Hearts beat Airdrie

Nieuwenhof has benefited from having a trio of Aussies to welcome him and spoke of the influence of Cammy Devlin, "a real dog and a really aggressive player", in helping him learn to get to grips with Scottish football. But as you assess the squad now, it is the newcomer who is ahead of Devlin in the pecking order.

He has also had the support of Naismith. The Hearts head coach may have raised a few eyebrows when he singled Nieuwenhof out for praise at the 90 minutes with the coaches' events, telling the assembled fans that he thinks he "will be a really good player... he just needs time".

"I'm definitely going into the team with that consistency," Nieuwenhof said. "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 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 and play consistently and hopefully reward his faith."

And settled he has. Firstly, it is clear he already knows what it means to be a Hearts player.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith: Hampden target, what pleased him with win and Halkett update

"The two main things the Jambos love, winning trophies and beating Hibs," he noted. "I'm well accustomed to what the fans want here.

"I think we are in a great position at the moment on the ladder, we're in third comfortably. We know if we keep winning and putting more distance between us and the rest of the pack it will go a long way in the last couple of months of the season. And the cup is obviously something we really want to push for and hopefully go on a deep run."

Off the pitch, while he may still be getting used to the climate, he loves Edinburgh and has integrated well into a dressing room that has real togetherness and pulling in one direction.

As well as his countrymen, he has also formed a bond with Kenneth Vargas who he carpools with to training as they teach each other a bit of Spanish and English.

"The city is awesome, I've really settled in and the boys have been great as well," Nieuwenhof said. "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. 

"We'll be buzzing [with the goals]. I couldn't be happier, especially with Kenny because I think he has really grown into Scottish football and going through a similar transition so that's made it all the better."

Importantly, there is still more to come. Nieuwenhof wants to get forward more and into positions where he can impact games in the final third. In turn, he believes more goals and assists will come. And continue on the same trajectory, he will be impossible to drop and impossible for the Australian national team to ignore.

"He’s consistently improving and becoming more dominant in games, which is why we signed him," Naismith said. "We knew he was a good player, he’s a really good player. He’s got a desire to get into the international team and I don’t think that’ll be too far away if he continues in the same vein of form."