Young Hearts star Robinson happy to flit between first team and Under-19s

SCOTT ROBINSON'S goal against Elgin City on Tuesday evening offered a timely reminder to Hearts manager Jim Jefferies that the teenager should not be forgotten. It must be hoped that the Tynecastle hierarchy also take note and initiate contract discussions soon, for Robinson becomes a free agent at the end of this season.

The under-19 contract signed by the player two years ago expires next June, prompting the disconcerting thought that he could be lured away from Hearts on a pre-contract agreement in just over four months time.

Despite beginning the campaign with the under-19 squad, he remains a capable and enthusiastic first-team prospect. He rounded the Elgin goalkeeper Steven Dunn with consummate ease for Hearts' fourth goal in the Co-operative Cup second round victory merely eight minutes after his arrival as substitute in his first top-level outing of the season.

Club officials have yet to talk with Robinson or his agent about a contract renewal but, as one of Riccarton's most prodigious young talents, they are sure to have the matter high on their priority list.

"I'm still on the under-19 contract I signed when I was 16. That's up at the end of the season," he explained. "I just need to have a good season and take things day by day just now. When I go into the training ground each morning I don't know what's happening or who I'm training with. Darren Murray, the under-19 coach, will come to me and tell me if I'm with him or the first team.

"It's difficult but you just have to shrug it off and get on with it. Last Thursday, I trained with the under-19s. Then I was with the first-team on Friday and on the bench against Hamilton the next day. I just need to think day to day. Whenever the gaffer needs me, I'll be there."

The to-ing and fro-ing is down to Robinson still being eligible for under-19 football until the end of this season. Whether it's two men and a dog at Riccarton on a blustery Saturday morning, or a capacity crowd at Tynecastle against the Old Firm, he willingly accepts whatever task is thrown at him. Others would complain at the uncertainty but the 18-year-old is too dedicated to rock the boat at Riccarton. At youth level, he is viewed as an energetic midfielder in the mould of a young Paul Scholes. However, with the first-team he has only ever played in attack. At 5ft 7in, he doesn't feel he has the necessary physical presence to justify himself as a forward. The one positive to being shunted between the under-19 and senior squads is he gets the best of both worlds.

"The gaffer and I spoke about my position and I said I prefered central midfield," he continued. "Obviously, I told him I'd play anywhere; wherever he wants me to play then I'll play. On Tuesday night, I was up front and whenever he needs me up there I'll do my best. But I would prefer midfield. Whenever the gaffer wants me for training I'll just work hard and try to push to get into midfield.

"I enjoy playing with the youth team because I'm in the midfield area. But when I do come to Tynecastle it's completely different. You hear the fans getting right behind you and you get a real buzz from it. It's brilliant. As soon as the crowd get you going your adrenalin kicks in and you're right up for it.

"It was good to get a goal on Tuesday and hear the fans cheering. I saw their goalkeeper was going to dive to his right so I just took it round him and put it away.

"If the gaffer wants me to play up front for the first team I'll work my hardest and give it everything, but I just don't think it's my best position. I played striker and midfield when I was younger but I think you need height nowadays to be a striker. Especially in the SPL, and even more so with the way the first team are looking to play with crosses going into the box.

"I like coming onto the play from deep but I'd still play up front evey day of the week for the first team if the gaffer asked me to. It's a confidence-booster that he's called on me to step up from the under-19s. Any time he asks me to train with the first team I'm pleased and I want to show him I can handle it."

It is not only Jefferies who believes Robinson has long-term potential. Supporters have already created a Facebook community page dedicated to the player. Kind of scary for an 18-year-old. As far as first-team midfield opportunities go, he finds himself behind a series of experienced first-team campaigners like Ruben Palazuelos, Ian Black, Eggert Jonsson, Ryan Stevenson and Adrian Mrowiec. "I'm definitely behind them. The gaffer has said that. He told me there are regulars and more experienced players ahead of me but I just have to be patient and give my best whenever I'm training with the first team.

"I've been training with them for the last week or so because they've had some injuries.

"Every day I go into training and I still don't know where I'm going to be. I just go in and try to do my best whichever group I'm with. Hopefully, I can stay with the first team, though.

"He's shown good faith in some of the other young players like David Templeton and Arvydas Novikovas. He gave Arvydas a start the other night and he scored a good goal. He's trying to push into the team as well so he'll be delighted with that."

Some of Robinson's contemporaries, such as Gordon Smith and Jonathan Brown, have been farmed out on loan to develop and gain more first-team experience.

"The gaffer had a list of players to go out on loan but I don't think I was one of them, which I'm happy with. I want to stay here and prove my worth. If that's with the under-19s then I just hopefully impress him when he comes to watch the matches. I'm happy to be part of Darren Murray's squad all the time. He's a great coach. I probably wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for Darren. He's pushed me on a lot and I have a lot to thank him for."