Hearts manager Robbie Neilson reveals plan to get Jamie Walker back to his best form

Hearts winger Jamie Walker will again be a key player under Robbie Neilson.

Jamie Walker produced the finest form of his career under Robbie Neilson at Hearts. One of the manager’s main priorities over the coming months is helping the winger re-enact that prosperity.

Neilson’s first spell at Tynecastle Park saw Walker develop into one of the Edinburgh club’s biggest assets, 35 goals and countless assists between 2014 and 2017 leading to calls for Scotland recognition.

He was sold to Wigan Athletic in January 2018 but returned home last summer, only to be hindered by a broken leg early in the season. Neilson rejoined Hearts from Dundee United last month eager to work with a fit-again Walker among others.

In full flow, there are few better in Scotland. Supporters revelled in the sight of Walker skipping past defenders with ease, cutting inside from the flank and unleashing one of many screaming shots into the net.

It is that confidence and rampantness Neilson wants to recapture as part of his rebuilding plans. “We are all keen to see Jamie back in his groove and I know that’s what the fans want,” the manager told the Evening News.

“There are certain players who have real quality and can light up a game. There aren't a lot of them in the Scottish game but I think Jamie is one of them. He can turn a game in a moment.

“I read John McGlynn’s interview earlier this week about Jamie and he is 100 per cent right. Jamie has that ability to turn a match, be that goalscorer who wins you the game. We hope to get him back to that level and enjoying his football again.

“I really like him, I think he is a top player. He did really well for me the first time and earned his move down south. That probably didn’t work out the way he wanted, then coming back to Hearts he got a broken leg early in the season.

“I expect him to get fit during pre-season and he will be a big player for us this year. I’m delighted to have him.”

Fitness is central to both Walker’s on-field contributions and Neilson’s team ethic. Triple training sessions – morning and afternoon with gym time on top – were a regular feature of Neilson’s first tenure as Hearts manager and will return from next month.

Now 27 and approaching what should be his prime, it is fair to assume Walker will be excited at the familiarity brought by his old gaffer coming back.

“Fitness levels are obviously a big thing for Jamie because he went through a period where he didn’t play as much as he wanted,” explained Neilson.

"He went down to Wigan and didn’t get as much game time as he was looking for, then he went out on loan [to Peterborough United], then he came back to Hearts and got injured.

“Fitness is a big area. If you’re fit and feeling good then you’re performances improve because of that. Your confidence also comes back.

“With the way I like my team to play, Jamie is the type of player I like to have. I like to have him playing either as a number 10 or as a wide player coming inside. It should be ideal and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

There is the added benefit of having many experienced international players to help Walker find that optimum performance level. Scotland’s Steven Naismith, plus the Northern Ireland pair Liam Boyce and Conor Washington all play around him in attacking areas.

Hearts will carry the division’s strongest squad if it is confirmed that they will play in the Scottish Championship next season. Walker and Neilson helped the club beat Rangers and Hibs to the title in that league back in 2015, but this time there is far greater experience on hand.

“Jamie will definitely benefit from the good players round about him,” said Neilson. “He is on the same wavelength as all of them, they are all top players and can all play together. I think it’s important for Jamie to have that kind of quality around the team.”

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