Steven Naismith recalls hanging on every last word of the old heads at Kilmarnock as he tried to make the breakthrough at Rugby Park He shudders at the memory of struggling to sleep as he replayed a missed chance in training over and over in his head just because a first-team player had given him both barrels.
That was the wet behind the ears of teenage Naismith. Fast forward a decade or so and he’d readily admit a role reversal as he became the driver of standards at Everton, Norwich and Hearts.
It’s a blend of experience that made the 36-year-old the perfect fit to lead Hearts’ B team in the Lowland League last season.
And it’s one which has opened the door to a new generation of homegrown stars ahead of the new season under the watchful eye of Naismith and academy director turned head coach Frankie McAvoy.