Hearts' Lee Wallace maturing well ahead of landmark game

The 22-year-old left-back has been one of the success stories of the Gorgie side's topsy-turvy campaign, earning his first Scotland caps as well as being linked with a move to England. He will take to the field against Motherwell in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League today almost 11 months after spending a night in the cells following his arrest for verbally abusing staff outside an Edinburgh nightclub. He pleaded guilty in October to two counts of breach of the peace and was fined 1,100. That came almost three years after he was fined 1,500 for possessing an airgun.

Wallace believes he has now matured both on and off the field, saying: "Off the park, that's taken care of itself. I'm glad to have that behind me and I've just concentrated on the on-the-field stuff."

Wallace is proud to be on the brink of 150 Hearts appearances at such a young age and is already targeting another 150. But his longer-term ambition remains to test himself on a bigger stage.

"Obviously, as a youngster, you like to set ambitions and set targets. In three or four years' time, you want to be playing at the highest level," he said.

Wallace also has big plans for the remainder of his Tynecastle career, claiming Hearts will start next season looking to challenge for the SPL title, despite struggling to make the top six this term. The left-back has backed manager Jim Jefferies to bring the good times back to Tynecastle and believes it is only natural to target top spot.

"You have to, because it's a huge club, huge management, some really good players," said Wallace who admitted scrabbling for a top-six spot was "probably not good enough. It's not gone right this season but we put things right and we go for it."

Pointing out Hearts split the Old Firm four years ago, he added: "There's no reason why we can't go on and push. You've got to set targets and that's something that Hearts Football Club want to go on and achieve."

Jefferies' January arrival has revitalised Hearts, who came close to slumping to the foot of the table back in December but are now in contention for a Europa League spot.

Wallace said: "It has been a topsy-turvy season. It was bad at the time when we were near enough bottom of the league. But we just pulled together as a team."

Wallace is also ready to cut short his summer holiday if Hearts finish fifth and qualify for Europe, which would mean a June return to training. Insisting it was a price worth paying, he added: "Obviously, there'll be a few moans."