Cammy Devlin earned his recall to the Australia national team earlier this week. The Heart of Midlothian star will be part of the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Palestine and Bangladesh. 

It is his first call-up since September last year. And it will mean so much to the 25-year-old. More than once during the campaign he spoke openly about being "gutted" and disappointed at missing out on squads. A passionate Aussie, he wants to be in and around the team and he will want to add to his two caps won so far.

A strong finish to the season paved the way for that return. He started the final eight fixtures and became a key component in Steven Naismith's midfield. In the final match of the season, 3-3 against Rangers, he was the Cammy Devlin Hearts fans instantly adored. A snapping, snarling presence at the base of the midfield. A disruptor that is a nightmare to play against. But against Kilmarnock, Livingston and Dundee fans saw another side of the midfielder. One that played more advanced and produced key contributions in the final third.

READ MORE: Behind the scenes with Cammy Devlin: From a day at training to improving at golf

Devlin, speaking to Hearts Standard exclusively after winning the club's Player of the Month for April, expressed his delight at not only being back in the thick of the action towards the end of the campaign but also excitement about a new role.

"First of all, if I’m on the pitch then I’m happy," he said. "It doesn’t really matter what role I’m given, I just want to be out on the pitch. As a footballer that’s where you want to be. If I’m getting the chance to develop a different side of my game – as I’m getting just now – then how good is that?

"It’s great for an individual learning your trade, especially from a coach who has had a career like the gaffer’s. To kind of watch what he does and then he is giving me information in a similar way to when he played. I think you can take that in your stride.

"My natural position throughout my career has been sort of deep as a midfielder. But he has given me the license to get in the box and hopefully add goals and assists. Just being in those positions is something that does excite me. Running forward and getting into the box is fun for a player.

"Against Kilmarnock was probably the best example of that. I think there were a few against Celtic but Joe Hart pulled off a really good save early on from me getting in the box. So yeah, that’s something that excites me and it’s better for me in the long run because it means I can be trusted as a deep midfielder, and a little higher up the pitch. So it’s more beneficial for me. I just want to keep working at it and keep enjoying it. But yeah, that prospect does excite me."

Devlin revealed earlier this season that he was a striker when he was younger before moving back to a role that is perhaps better suited his attributes. But, looking ahead, there is a desire to add more numbers to his game.

Since joining Hearts he has averaged two goals a season but the signs at the end of the campaign were of a player who could double or treble that amount.

"Those days of playing at striker are definitely over," he laughed. "I think I was about eight years old then.

"If you’re playing higher up the pitch then you would love to get goals and assists, but I am just trying to focus [on my game].

"If it happens then it does – I scored against Livi, hit the bar against Kilmarnock, and then Joe Hart pulled off that save – so I am getting into those positions; it’s just about doing that more frequently. The more frequently you get into those positions and the more you practice them, it will come. That’s something I’m looking forward to about next season."

Fans who pay particular attention to Naismith during games will witness a head coach who is keen to cajole and communicate with his players. With Devlin adjusting to a new role and new requirements in midfield he can be the recipient of Naismith's demands, or as he puts it, "on me a lot".

But it is viewed by the player as beneficial. After all, the demands of the fans, of the club in general, are high. Plus, he sees a similar personality to himself in his manager.

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"The gaffer is demanding – and from what I’ve seen and heard he was the same as a player," he said. "I think that’s kind of similar to me. On the pitch I am talking a lot, I’m into the ref’s ear and all that. It kind of resembles me a lot, the way he manages the way I play.

"He’s on me a lot and I think that can only be beneficial. If he’s not on you, then that’s probably worse because he knows I can do it. Me and the gaffer have spoken a lot of times about what he sees in me and the belief that he has in me, and I know that it is so high.

"I believe in myself so much that when I go out on to the field I can produce. So the fact that he is emotional and screaming orders, it is only because he knows that we can do it. That’s the belief he has in us as players, and that’s a responsibility for us as the playing group to take on.

"You know, we’re at Hearts. We’re at a club where you are expected to win football games and the demand is high from the fans. Not only should it be high from the fans, it should be high from the coach as well. It goes hand in hand, and it’s about us as players taking that responsibility of pulling on that jersey and taking it in our stride."

Hearts Standard:

Back in September, the club confirmed they had taken the option in Devlin's contract to extend his deal until 2025. A "no-brainer to activate", sporting director Joe Savage said at the time.

The player is now one of a raft of first-team players whose deal expires at the end of next season. 

While Devlin is philosophical about football and its ability to change quickly, he expressed his love for the club and a willingness to prolong his stay beyond his current contract.

"Like I’ve said so many times – everyone knows what I am all about and I really enjoy it here," he said. "I love being in Edinburgh and I love being at Hearts. I think it’s a good environment to be in.

"Since I’ve been given the opportunity to come here I’ve really enjoyed it, especially making my debut for my country and going to a World Cup. To not look at it like that would be silly. I enjoy it and I have a lot of fun. So yeah, I would love to.

"Obviously you never know what’s going to happen in football. It’s a weird game and things can change so quickly. But at the same time, if I get the opportunity to stay here, then I would love to. Hopefully, that’s something that happens – and happens quite quickly."