Hamilton boss issues challenge to Jambo Smith

Gordon Smith was today challenged to replicate the scoring form he showed at Stirling Albion last season after signing a four-week loan deal with another First Division team, Hamilton Academical.

Billy Reid, manager of the Lanarkshire club, is keen to see Smith reach top form after noting his 11 goals in 34 appearances on loan at Stirling. The 20-year-old is in contention to make his Hamilton debut against Falkirk this Saturday.

Hearts have loaned Smith, pictured left, to Accies and under-19 left-back Kevin McHattie to Alloa Athletic until mid-January in an effort to enhance their first-team experience. For Smith in particular, the move is intended to prepare him for more frequent involvement with Hearts after the new year.

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“He’s already done well and made an impression in the First Division with Stirling Albion. We’re hoping he makes the same impact here as he did at Stirling. If he does that, I’ll be very happy,” said Reid.

“I hope he comes here, plays some games and does well. We’re just assessing his general fitness at the moment, although he hasn’t played as many games as I thought. Hopefully he can do us a turn and improve his own fitness at the same time.

“He has decent movement and he’s probably frustrated that he hasn’t had a run of games with Hearts. He needs a good run in the team to go and establish himself. We haven’t brought him here to sit on his bum. He’ll be in contention for Saturday.”

Smith has managed only six appearances for Hearts this season but is relishing the chance to impress on loan. “This is a good chance for me to get playing more games,” he said. “Hopefully I can do well at Hamilton while at the same time help myself improve match sharpness.

“I want to show the manager here I still have a part to play at Tynecastle and hopefully I can come back and be involved more with the first team.”

Goalkeeper Janos Balogh has been released by Hearts after agreeing an early termination of his contract, which was due to expire next month. “It was a good move for me to come to Hearts and it improved me as a keeper, although it was frustrating not to be able to prove it in the last 15 months,” he told the Hearts website. “I didn’t have much luck during that time but I will remember my first two years here for a long time.

“Living in Edinburgh was a new culture for me and my family. I will be home in Hungary with my family for Christmas which will be great and after that who knows what will happen. My preference is to get back playing in Europe in a new country. I enjoyed myself but am looking forward to the future now and a new phase in my career.”