8 Hearts academy stars and counting earn Steven Naismith call to action over opportunities they can seize

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.

Aaron Hickey remains the only academy product to make a serious impact in the first team over the last eight years. But Naismith and McAvoy are intent on changing that dynamic.

Goalkeepers Harry Stone and Liam McFarlane, Luke Rathie, Calum Sandilands, Aidan Denholm, Finlay Pollock, Mackenzie Kirk, James Wilson are just some of the names who have shown up well in the first-team environment this summer. Naismith insists it’s exciting times for the Tynecastle teens – and that supporters should be equally optimistic.

Asked how much growth he sees in group, Naismith said: “There’s lots. But what comes with that is the demand at Hearts is greater than most in Scotland. The benefit we have is that Frankie and myself have been involved in the academy. It’s exciting times for some of these younger players. Getting them into the first team is the challenge. Every day now in training there is an opportunity for them.

“In the