Johnston is a big fan of roving right back

Hamill and "Magic" Johnston formed a potent right-sided combination at Kilmarnock for five years from 2004, and the latter, who enjoyed a six-year stay at Tynecastle in the early-1990s, says Hamill will win over fans with his all-action, tough-tackling style.

"He's a born winner, and it's good to have someone like that in your team," said Johnston of Hearts' new recruit. "He's not scared to go forward but is very good defensively, too. He's a very hardy player, not really a goalscorer, but he's fit and bombs up and down the line and puts crosses into the box."

"He's a really good player, and was obviously a young boy when I was at Kilmarnock. He can play in a few different positions - central midfield, right back, centre back - so he's very versatile. I like him at right back."

Ayrshire-born Hamill became a first team regular for his only club so far in season 2007/08. From the following season to the campaign just completed, he earned the honour of scoring on each of his club's opening day fixtures, with strikes against Hibs, Hamilton and Rangers respectively.

A three-year Hearts deal for the former Scotland under-21 internationalist, who made 32 league appearances for the Rugby Park club in the last season, signals the second time Jefferies has raided his old club Killie after last year's summer signing of Kevin Kyle.

Kyle could play in attack next season with John Sutton, another added to the Hearts ranks yesterday alongside St Johnstone defender Danny Grainger.

As he holidayed in Gran Canaria, Johnston learned from the Evening News of Hearts' trio of new signings. Upon hearing of the arrival of Sutton, the former Jambos winger said that the ex-Motherwell frontman and current No.?9 Kyle would benefit greatly from Hamill's delivery from the right.

"That's a fearsome front two," said Johnston. "If you have centre forwards like that, they will cause problems from Jamie's crosses."

Johnston is out of contract at Queen of the South having enjoyed the past season in Dumfries and is "waiting to see if something comes up" while keeping one eye on a coaching career. While an end to Johnston's playing days is in sight, Hamill's career is only just getting started. Thirty-seven-year-old Johnston admits he has always envisaged a bright future for the former team mate 13 years his junior.

"He was definitely one of the young boys I knew would go onto bigger and better things," said Johnston. "He's got a mix of everything: he's good going forward, he's tough, and certainly doesn't shirk out of tackles."

Hamill was delighted to secure a move to the Capital having turned down advances from elsewhere. He said: "It's a massive club and Jim Jefferies gave me my chance at Kilmarnock. This is going to be the biggest challenge of my career.

"I'm a player who likes to get in about things. Hopefully I can bring a bit more to the table for Hearts, show the supporters what I am capable of and put a smile on their faces."

Hamill will turn 25 on July 29, the day after fellow new defender Grainger celebrates his 24th birthday.

Experience and youth are clearly two qualities that Jefferies cites as key to improving his defence ahead of next season and has recruited six-foot left back Grainger, a mainstay of St Johnstone's backline with 33 league appearances in the last season. The former Gretna and Dundee United defender, who spent two years with the Perth Saints, was the third and last of a flurry of arrivals at Tynecastle yesterday.

Jefferies sees Grainger as one to provide options at full-back in the coming campaign. "He's a decent player, has a good left peg and gives us good cover," said the Hearts boss.