James Hill insists Hearts can help him match his famous dad in Premier League as he reveals vital Joey Barton talks

James Hill has spent his career dreaming of scaling the same heights as his dad in the Premier League.

The defender has already hit two landmarks before former Sheffield United, Wolves and Bristol City stopper Matt by making his pro debut for Fleetwood Town at just 16 and winning an U21 cap for England. But the hungry Hearts ace insists he won’t stop until he’s knocked his old man off the top of the family perch by starring for England on the biggest stage of all - with the 2026 World Cup his next target.

On-loan Bournemouth stopper Hill has been a revelation since arriving in Gorgie last month, with five wins and three clean sheets to his credit in six appearances. But with the advice of former boss Joey Barton ringing in his ear he has learned never to be satisfied with his lot as he looks to finally step out of his old man’s shadow. He said: “It’s difficult. But I’m a massive competitor.

“I idolised my dad to a point I didn’t really watch other footballers. I didn’t support a team I just supported my dad. I wanted to be a footballer because of him.

“Then it got to a point at Fleetwood, as soon as I got my first sniff of first team I wanted to beat dad. He made his debut at 18, I made mine at 16.

“I wanted to see how many more appearances I could get than him at this age. I’ve beaten him so far. Did he ever get an England call-up? He got schoolboys but I’ve got U20 and now U21.

“He’s played in the Premier League and I’ve not. He’s made over 500 appearances .. I’ve not done that. You can never be satisfied, can you? I have actually heard that when an animal eats and become satisfied that is when it is vulnerable and it could be attacked because it is in that state of relaxation.

“I’m looking at the next World Cup in