Barrie McKay explains how Hearts fans' adulation is different amid Rudi Skacel comparisons

Adored by supporters, coaches and team-mates, the little man from Barrhead has carved out a place in people’s hearts with his own unique brand of football sorcery. Assists are his speciality but the mere sight of him gliding almost effortlessly across the Tynecastle Park turf is enough to excite any Jambo this season.

McKay is a modest type who hasn’t always enjoyed this level of adulation. At Rangers, he showed plenty potential and was popular without being a hugely emblematic figure. Subsequent spells at Nottingham Forest, Swansea City and Fleetwood Town were frustrating, often spent trying to prove his worth.

He quickly clicked into place after arriving at Tynecastle last September. Playing wide right, wide left or attacking from midfield, Hearts manager Robbie Neilson allows McKay licence to roam and use his intelligence to prise open opposition defences. Consequently, he is one of the most difficult men to mark in Scotland.

He is also one of the most cherished individuals, critical to Hearts’ hopes of lifting this season’s Scottish Cup. Hopes of earning group-stage points in Europe next term will rest heavily on his shoulders. The new-found popularity in Edinburgh takes some getting used to.

“It’s probably different to what I’m used to – they actually like me,” laughed McKay. “You play football and you want to make the fans enjoy coming to the games. Hopefully I do that with the way I play. It’s up to us to keep winning games and sending people home happy.

“It’s hard if you’re in and out of the team, or you make one mistake and the fans are on you. If you are making mistakes in the right areas because you are trying things, the Hearts supporters get right behind you.”

There was an uphill battle to be fought for