Cammy Devlin provides new Hearts contract update as star leaves Celtic foe 'lashing out' at Parkhead

Cammy Devlin has praised Derek McInnes for installing a new culture Hearts - as the Australian leaves a Celtic foe in a fankle and sends the latest on possibly signing fresh Tynecastle terms.

The midfielder has been one of the club’s top performers this season and shone on Sunday in a 2-1 win at Celtic. It leaves Hearts three points clear at the top of the Premiership and continues positive momentum at Tynecastle, after Derek McInnes’ arrival as head coach and Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s investment into the squad.

Devlin has earned the reputation of an up and at them midfielder, with Celtic players the latest on the end of the battler’s style. It left one opponent from impressed but Devlin insists he’s far from that personality off the pitch.

Cammy Devlin on battle with Daizen Maeda

Devlin said on the Premier Sports Social Club when asked if he was able to speak Japanese amid noising up some of the Celtic players: "He was lashing out a little bit, but no, I get carried away. I feel like I'm such a different person when I'm on the field to when I'm off the field. I don't know what it is. When I'm off the field I'm pretty chilled and pretty relaxed. I hate losing more than I like winning! I've got white line fever I guess you could say. But yeah, that's not my actual personality."

McInnes’ arrival has been a major boost for the midfielder who’s been at Hearts since 2021 and been handed the captain’s armband on occasion this term. He reckons McInnes has created an environment where players are keen to play for him and Hearts. Devlin said: "It's been really good.

“When your team is performing, individuals get spoken about a bit more. I feel like the whole team has been so good - all the new boys that have come in and the boys that have been here for a few years now. This time last year we probably would have been having a different conversation in terms of the team's form and we were at the other end of the table. To now have turned it around and be sitting where we are, I feel like I've had a good start to the season, playing every game so far.

"The new manager has been really good for not only me but the whole team. I'm pretty sure he said when he first came in he wants to have a Hearts team that fans wake up on a Saturday morning wanting to come watch them play. I feel like we've done that so far and I'm really enjoying contributing as much as I can. Winning games helps everything, so the feeling around the place is so good.

Cammy Devlin Hearts contract update

“All the managers I've had have had positive influences on me personally in different ways. But I feel like with the manager coming in, he's been great for obviously not only myself but I just feel like bringing that feeling towards what I think Hearts should look like. Obviously he's been around a lot longer than I've been here and been really successful. From what I saw of what he did at Kilmarnock was pretty special, taking them from the Championship to then being in Europe within 12 months.

“Always playing against them it was a real hard game, you knew what you were in for. When he got announced I was really excited. I spoke to him when I was in Australia in the off-season and he just speaks really well. To have that conversation and to be filled with confidence. I feel like looking in, Hearts probably looks a lot better with him in charge and that's definitely the feeling within the group.

“He is really good at creating a culture that boys want to play for him. The boys that aren't playing, everyone is still working hard which can be hard at times when you are not playing. To have him as our coach and obviously his staff that have come in as well have been really good for the whole group and winning definitely helps."

Devlin is out of contract at the end of the season but insists action on the park is his key focus. He added: “There’s obviously talks. My agent is speaking with the club. I have a great relationship with Graeme Jones (sporting director) and the gaffer. I am speaking with them but nothing has happened of yet. My main focus and I’ve made no secret of it is I just want to play football. I feel like with the moment we are in right now, if I was to make it about me... obviously you do need to look after your future. I just want to keep playing football, keep enjoying it, winning games and I am sure the rest will take care of itself.”