Thursday, March 28, 2024
SportHeartsHearts boss wants more of the same from Jamie Walker as midfielder...

Hearts boss wants more of the same from Jamie Walker as midfielder moves out on loan

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Hearts manager Craig Levein wants more of the same from Jamie Walker after admitting that the playmaker produced his best performance of the season in last weekend’s stalemate with Ross County.

Walker, the subject of failed bids from Rangers during the summer, made his first start in nearly a month after being sidelined with a hamstring problem and looked dangerous throughout the frustrating goal-less draw with the Staggies.

In a game that saw the hosts create 23 chances compared to County’s five, Levein was left lamenting his side’s lack of cutting edge following a dominant performance.

But the former Scotland manager was encouraged by the contributions of Walker and Arnaud Djoum, who recently returned to action following a two-month injury lay-off, in the middle of the park.

Levein, whose side host Hamilton on Saturday and will attempt to collect their first Premiership victory in six matches, said: “Jamie always wants the ball, that’s why he is such a good player.

“Him and Arnaud did well together and Harry Cochrane complimented them well.

“Jon McLaughlin didn’t have a save to make against County and the defence was good.

“I thought the midfield part was excellent, with Jamie Walker probably playing his best game of the season.

“Arnaud Djoum looks back to his best and young Harry was excellent.”

•  Hearts midfielder Angus Beith has joined Stranraer on an emergency loan deal until January 20.

The 21-year-old, who has made two first time appearances for the Tynecastle outfit, has previoulsy been farmed out to Stirling Albion and Stenhousemuir.

The playmaker joins a Blues team who currently sit in sixth position, four points adrift of the play-offs, in League One.

Beith is one of eight players to currently be out on loan, with the likes of Connor Sammon, Liam Smith and Dario Zanatta at Partick Thistle, St Mirren and Raith Rovers respectively.

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