Out-of-contract Stevenson keen to stay on at Hearts

Stevenson is eager to remain at Tynecastle as club officials ponder whether to invoke their option to extend his contract. He has proven a valuable and versatile squad member since joining from Ayr United just over 14 months ago and has proved himself worthy of a new deal.

However, the player's appetite is not sated by spending time on the substitutes' bench, where he has often found himself of late. He approached manager Jim Jefferies to ask where he was going wrong, but in analysing minor weaknesses too closely Stevenson is overlooking his outstanding progress throughout the last year.

His capability in several positions is a central part of his make-up. He has been deployed in the holding role, as an attacking midfielder and as a striker at different times by Hearts. With energy and appetite, he has succeeded to varying degrees in every position. It is that adaptability which heightens his value.

To his credit, Stevenson is able to maintain a sense of perspective. "A year and two months ago, it was Brechin away. Then I signed for Hearts and made my debut at Parkhead," he recalled. "If you could look back, it has been a disappointing season in some aspects for me because I haven't played as much as I'd want to. But this time a year ago I was in the First Division struggling in a relegation fight to now sitting third (in the SPL) and I could be playing in Europe next year. It's been a very good year for me."

The uprising was capped by his first Edinburgh derby goal in last Sunday's 2-2 draw. "A great feeling, especially with it being the first goal and putting us 1-0 up. Probably the best feeling of my career," he continued. "The only disappointing thing was it was at the Hibs end, not the Hearts end. It was a great game to be involved in. With everything that went on, it felt like a moral victory for us."

Indeed, Stevenson's attacking credentials were showcased perfectly at Easter Road after Marius Zaliukas' red card reduced Hearts to ten men. "When you're down to ten men, you're asked to do that lone striker role and you're basically running about trying to close people down," explained the 26-year-old. "The touches you get are going to be limited because we're sitting back and your fighting for long balls. So I knew it was going to be difficult, I knew that was what was going to be asked (of me), but it was still enjoyable.

"The manager's asked me to go up there and do a job with Kevin (Kyle) being injured. I'd play in goals for Hearts just now. Any footballer wants to play games."It's been a strange season for me, because I've wanted to play more and I feel as if I've been playing well at times. We signed Rudi Skacel and he's done what Rudi does, scores goals, and it's been hard for me sitting on the bench. I knew that was always going to be the case with the size of the squad we've got. It's been good, but bittersweet at times."

Stevenson's impatience is rooted to an inward determination to maximise his second chance at the top level. He was a Hearts player as a teenager before heading to London to join Chelsea's youth academy. After being released he had spells with St Johnstone and then Ayr. Some of the sights along the way, particularly in Scotland's First Division, made the opportunity to rejoin Hearts something of a godsend.

"Some grounds are fine, I like the old-style grounds. There are definitely a couple you go to, though . . . Cowdenbeath. It's a totally different world when you come into the SPL. From preparing to play Brechin, three days later I was playing at Parkhead. It's taken me a while to get used to it. It's been a disappointing season because I haven't played as much, but if you said this year I'd be playing SPL football, scoring against Hibs, scoring against Rangers, I'd have bitten your hand off."

The meeting with Jefferies, pictured left, to ascertain why he was not in the team proved productive. "It was just to see what he was thinking. I'd played one game then been out for four or five, then came in, then out again. I wasn't struggling for confidence, but I was just disappointed in myself. I wanted to play, and if you're not playing you want to know what you can try and do to get in the team. I went in and asked him, and he said 'keep your head down and keep working'. Fortunately enough, I've managed to get my chance. I feel if I get three or four games on the bounce, I'll get better and better. I feel as if I am getting a bit better every week, so hopefully I can continue that and take it on to the end of the season and into next year.

"Obviously, I love it here and wouldn't want to leave. I don't think anybody outside Rangers or Celtic would want to leave. Their next port of call would be Hearts. I'm more than happy and would love to be here next season."