Hearts: Ryan Stevenson in Jim Jeffries' plans for Celtic match

Published on Monday 8 February 2010 10:16

HEARTS new boy Ryan Stevenson could be set for a baptism of fire against Celtic at Parkhead on Wednesday after he wasted no time catching Jim Jefferies' eye in his first training session with the Tynecastle club.

• Ryan Stevenson could make his Hearts debut against Celtic

Jefferies snapped up the 25-year-old midfielder for a reported 20,000 from Ayr United in the final few hours of the January transfer window and is hoping Stevenson can make his mark in the SPL.

"While Ryan isn't what I'd call a major signing, I've always had an eye for these sorts of player in lower divisions and I'm confident he can do a good job for us," said Jefferies of a player who started his career with Chelsea before spending five seasons at St Johnstone.

"Ryan will probably go from being a big fish in a small pool to a small fish in big pool.

"With no disrespect at all to Ayr, he's going to be playing with players at this club who are better.

"He's not a Mickey Cameron by any means in terms of getting forward. But his first thought if you play the right players with him is that he will always have an instinct to back up the strikers.

"He's a terrific striker of the ball, scoring two terrific goals in training already just by backing up players. He's also one who could play off the striker."

St Mirren and St Johnstone were also believed to be interested in Stevenson and Jefferies added: "I think we were always favourites when we came in for him.

"I had been watching him for a long time and, at 25, the timing may be right for him.

"He was here as a kid remember and went to Chelsea, where he went off the rails.

"He's been given an opportunity and, if he does it for us, then we'll have won a watch."