Hearts: Danny Wilson hails Davie Weir’s ways

DANNY Wilson has been given the captain’s armband but he says every member of the squad will have to take extra responsibility as Hearts battle for survival on and off the pitch.

The 21-year-old Scotland defender knows that the current situation at Tynecastle is vastly different to the one he experienced as a graduate to first-team football while at Rangers, where he could tap into the significant experience of guys such as Davie Weir.

But he claims that ultimately, regardless of who is the captain of the team, it comes down to individuals all pulling their weight

Wilson said: “Davie Weir was my captain at Rangers. He wasn’t a shouter, he’s quite a composed guy. He’d never lose the rag. He made every boy who came into train feel very welcome. He was almost like a father figure.

“With Davie I was of the feeling that I didn’t want to let him down. But no one wants to let anyone down on the pitch.

“You don’t want to be the passenger in the team, I’m sure all the boys coming in will be exactly the same.”

Administration means that Hearts will start the league campaign with a 15-point deficit and a threadbare squad, predominantly comprising players still eligible for the under-20 side.

But Wilson still has faith they can confound the doomsayers and stay up.

“I’m not saying I can be a father figure – I don’t think I’m that age yet! But if there’s anything I can take from [Davie Weir] it would be to make the young boys feel welcome.

“They’re going to be big players for us now. They need to make the transition as quickly and smoothly as possible.

“Everyone has to take added responsibility. We’ve got a big season ahead and everyone will have to pull together and pull in the same direction.

“There are a lot of players having to step up but you hope they can do it and I think they can. We are in a tough situation but we know what it is and we need to embrace it.

“We need to approach every game the right way and try and win as many as we can to stay in the league. “