Lee Wallace looks back as landmark looms

The defender will reach the milestone against Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon – if selected.

Wallace, who made his debut for the Jambos at the age of just 17, has experienced success as well as turbulent times under Vladimir Romanov's reign.

The left-back has developed into one of the top young players in Scotland and has played on the European stage for the Gorgie side since his introduction to the first-team squad in 2005. He has also been capped three times for Scotland.

However, he picked out his first goal for the club, which he scored after running almost the full length of the pitch against Kilmarnock back in 2005, as one of the highlights.

Wallace said: "Obviously, the third game where I scored my first goal was good because I was at such a young age. It was great to score and be part of a 3-1 victory.

"There have been a number of good times I have had here. The season we finished second was great even though I featured a lot as a sub, it was still great to be part of such a great team.

"There have been bad times as well but there has been more good than bad.

"I look back at things and I just appreciate the chances that have come my way.

"I think I played 17 games in that first season and then I was a bit-part player here and there but last season and this season I have got back to playing the majority of the games and so I am happy.

"It has been a long four or five seasons but I have enjoyed everyone of them. Long may it continue."

Wallace admitted that he has seen huge changes over the last few seasons, not only in his game but also his physical strength and appearance. He says that his time in the first-team at Tynecastle has proved to be a steep learning curve and believes he is now a much more confident and assured individual, both on and off the park.

He continued: "Looking back at pictures I looked quite skinny and weak but I suppose that comes with being a young boy.

"It is a learning curve when you first go in. The older you get you know you need to improve.

"Now I am working in the gym and also you also grow physically bigger the older you get.

"When you are young, you go in and your are lacking experience but that takes care of itself. The more games you play you gain that experience with games and listening to all the older players.

"I have learned to be professional and to keep working hard. I am still working hard and looking to make myself better.

"I have made improvements since then although it has been hard to pinpoint although the confidence aspect has helped as has my experience of being away with the young Scotland teams.

"I still have weaknesses. Everybody has them but I just have to keep working on them and to try and get better."

Despite a disappointing start to the campaign, Hearts have forced their way back into contention for one of the Europa League qualifying positions in the SPL table.

Fourth would mean automatic qualification, while fifth would mean Hearts having to wait until after the Scottish Cup Final between Ross County and Dundee United to discover their fate, with only a win for Peter Houston's Tannadice side enough to send the Jambos on the UEFA Cup trail. "If we beat Motherwell and the remaining three then there is no reason why we can't achieve that.

"We have to set targets and push on. That is what this football club is all about. We have to keep regularly getting into Europe and that is something we are looking to do. If we want to get into Europe then we just have to accept things like coming back early. We just have to be professional and get on with it.

"We want what is best for the club."