Thursday, March 28, 2024
SportHeartsFormer Hearts boss Gary Locke backs Jamie Walker for Scotland call-up after...

Former Hearts boss Gary Locke backs Jamie Walker for Scotland call-up after ‘class’ Rangers display

FOLLOW US ON  TWITTER | FACEBOOK

FORMER Hearts manager Gary Locke has backed growing calls for Jamie Walker to be rewarded for his stunning form with a first-ever Scotland call-up.

The 23-year-old turned in another man-of-the-match display in Wednesday night’s 4-1 hammering of Rangers and took his season’s tally to 14 with a superb double against the Ibrox club.

Walker has now netted seven times in his last seven games and is proving a key figure in Ian Cathro’s revamped side.

 

 

His top-quality performances have led to suggestions he could win a chance to prove himself at international level when Scotland take on Canada in a friendly next month.

And Locke, who helped bring through the attacker during his spell as first-team coach and then manager at Tynecastle, believes Walker would not let Gordon Strachan down if he was to get the nod for the national team.

The Raith boss, who saw his former protege score against him in each of Rovers’ two Scottish Cup ties with Hearts, said: “Jamie Walker was class against Rangers. He’s got unbelievable ability.

“He certainly caused us a few problems and scored a couple of goals against us in the two games, and he has shown his qualities.

“If he got a Scotland call-up then it certainly wouldn’t come as a surprise.

GOALS

“There’s no chance it’s beyond him. He’s a very confident boy, with great ability and he’s got goals in him.

“You saw on Wednesday night, against one of the best teams in the country, what he is capable of. He was man of the match.

“If he got a Scotland call-up I would be delighted for him.

“He’s always been there at Hearts in the last few years and ever since he was a young kid he’s had goals in him.

“For me, he’s taken his performances to another level this season and he and Hearts will be hoping to keep that up.”

Related Stories