Hearts' Jamie Walker admits he wants to play at the highest level
Friday 25 September 2015 15:34, UK
Hearts' Jamie Walker admits he harbours ambitions beyond the walls of Tynecastle as he celebrates his 100th appearance for his boyhood club.
The striker, who was linked with a move to Spanish side Real Betis in January, had a starring role as he helped inspire the Gorgie outfit's charge to the Championship title last season.
He has continued to impress on their return to the top flight and hit the century mark during the thrilling 3-2 win at Rugby Park in the League Cup on Wednesday.
He said: "I'm a Hearts fan so to make 100 appearances for the club I have supported since I was a boy is brilliant for me so I am delighted. The big aim was to play for the club but I'm delighted to have made 100 appearances. We've been through relegation and obviously I've won a title as well.
"I just want to keep playing and you never know what might happen. This is a big club but obviously as a football player you want to play at the highest level possible, so I'm just looking forward."
Walker, who made his debut against Inverness at Tynecastle in 2012, has witnessed the club's recent financial and boardroom strife at first hand but he believes the experiences of the last few seasons have stood him in good stead.
He said: "I think I've benefitted a lot. We went into administration and a few of the young players got thrown into the deep end, me being one of them. It helped me a lot and stood me in good stead for last season and this season as well.
"A few of the other players who came in didn't quite know how big a club it was. Even in the season we were relegated we were getting 15-16,000 and getting beat every week."
After a bright start Hearts have faltered in recent weeks, losing three consecutive league games. They travel to face Celtic on Saturday and Walker is relishing the challenge.
He said: "They are champions so maybe first 15-20 minutes we need to be resolute at the back and if we get a chance we need to take it.
"I think you just have to be brave on the ball. We're looking forward to it and hope we can pick up a result. You need to ride your luck a little bit because there going to create chances.
"We set out at the start of the season to finish top six but after five wins on the trot I think the expectations rose a little. We've lost three games in a row now so it's up to us to pick ourselves up and see where the season takes us."
