Taouil ready to make his mark for Hearts - Hamill

JAMIE HAMILL thinks his fellow former Kilmarnock team-mate Mehdi Taouil is ready to make a major impact on Scottish football this season.

New Hearts signings Hamill and Taouil have slipped seamlessly into the Jambos' first-team squad this pre-season, both catching the eye in friendly outings in the past eight days.

Hamill, 24, thinks Moroccan midfielder Taouil will provide a potent mix of goals and assists to propel Hearts high up the SPL table.

"He's a good addition to the squad and I'm really looking forward to playing alongside him again," said Hamill. "He'll give us some trickery and he can see a pass, but hopefully this season he can score a few more goals as well.

"He's capable of making goals and shooting outside the box. Hopefully this season, the gaffer and Billy can encourage him to take plenty of shots and get a few more goals."

Taouil was on the scoresheet in Thursday's friendly against German semi-professional club Ludwigsfelder and, alongside Hamill, prepared to face a somewhat stiffer test against Bundesliga 2 team Union Berlin this afternoon.

Hamill has seen enough in Taouil to suggest that the diminutive midfielder will continue to progress following his switch to Tynecastle.

"When he came in, he was quite wee and strong, but, when we had training, people would still get the ball off him," recalled Hamill.

"Obviously it's hard for foreigners when they come in - sometimes it takes them a few months to get used to the Scottish game.

"Hopefully the wee man can score goals and make goals for the team."