Exclusive: Liam Boyce aims to break 30 years of Hearts history in the next few games

An impressive finish at Tannadice on Saturday was his 15th goal in all competitions this season. Another five and he achieves history as the first Hearts player to reach 20 in a single campaign since a certain John Robertson 30 years ago.

None of Boyce’s predecessors completed that feat and literally dozens of them tried. Not Kyle Lafferty, nor Andrius Velicka, not even Paul Hartley or Rudi Skacel. It remains something of a holy grail at Tynecastle Park.

At 30 years of age, Boyce is sufficiently mature not to become obsessed with personal glory. The unassuming Northern Irishman quietly goes about his business as a team player, much like this interview. He prefers calm statements and friendly chat to bravado or bawling and shouting.

There is good reason to become just a tad more selfish now, though. Aside from aspiring to the 20-goal landmark, Hearts are motoring again and aiming to secure third place as a newly-promoted club. That would guarantee European football in Gorgie for the first time in six years. Then there is the Scottish Cup.

Eight league games are left, plus a maximum of three cup ties. More Boyce goals could make all the difference for player and club. “It’s more about winning but obviously goals help. You guys all count them more than I do,” he smiles.

“It’s a bit rare nowadays but I think it’s always in the back of any striker’s head that 20 goals is a brilliant season. Everyone wants a 20-goals-a-season striker.

“When I was scoring every week, people were saying: ‘Are you going to get 20?’ It hasn’t been done in a long while at Hearts. You want to be the first person to do it, however many years it’s been.

“It’s something you can think about when you’re done playing. You scored 20 goals in a season at a