Hearts: Craig Thomson reveals it's good to talk again in training

THE banter is back. In fact, it's thick in the air again at Riccarton, as any visit for media conferences ahead of games clearly shows.

Take this week, for example. Craig Thomson, spending most of his time at the moment warming the bench, took pelters from team-mate Ian Black for being put up by Hearts' press people - in fairness, it was supposed to be Eggert Jonsson but he was running late due to the weather - for one of the interviews.

A few minutes later it was probably just as well for Callum Elliot that Black had moved on as he arrived for training wearing - sorry Callum if it's in fashion - a bobble hat that looked as though it had been swiped off his tea pot at home on the way out the door.

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What a difference. A year ago similar trips to Hearts' training base were almost like a visit to the morgue, the players almost seeming as though they were scared to say or do anything under a management regime that was a lot different to the one run by Jim Jefferies, along with Billy Brown and Gary Locke.

"The banter and stuff is great," admitted Thomson, the smile that had creased his face on hearing Black's remark still there.

"Last season we were probably scared to say too much but this season you can say whatever you want and have a bit of banter. It's all in good spirit and you feel so much more comfortable coming in. It's a good place to come into now.

"The crack with Lockey, for example, is different class. He does go over the top sometimes but that's just him. The players who have come in have also helped change the spirit as well as the backroom staff.

"We had our Christmas night out last week and also try and do stuff like go-karting, though trying do anything like that at the moment has been a nightmare due to the weather."

For Thomson, as well as several others, it's catch 22 at the moment. He's desperate to be playing but knows he can't complain too much about being on the bench when the players in possession of the starting spots are doing so well.

While a six-game winning run came to an end when the Capital club were held to a 1-1 draw by Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Tynecastle last weekend, Hearts are still clinging to the coat-tails of the Old Firm heading into the festive period.

That starts with a Boxing Day trip to Rugby Park to take on Kilmarnock, followed by an another away match, at St Mirren on Wednesday, before Hibs come to Tynecastle on New Year's Day.

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"I want the team to get results and do the best we can and if that means me not playing at the moment then so be it," reflected Thomson. "I'm only 19 and the gaffer has told me I've got plenty of time on my hands. The squad is not only strong just now, it has depth to it as well. Players who've been out injured are starting coming back and it's even tough to get on the bench just now.

"I don't think anyone can walk back into this Hearts team - even Lee Wallace or Andrew Driver.

"Lee is some player and you can see the ability he has from the fact he has got into the Scotland team. But Ruben (Palazuelos] has been different class and I think he's going to have to wait for his chance to get back in there. So is Driver as Temps has been different class for us as well. If we can keep getting results, I think we can do really well this season. It gives us a boost to see Celtic dropping points but it is always difficult to catch the Old Firm as they've got a big reputation.

"We face Kilmarnock on Sunday and Mixu (Paatelainen] has got them playing some really good football. Conor Sammon is scoring goals for fun, but our defence has been solid so hopefully we can stop him and the rest of the Kilmarnock players."

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