Inside track on key Hearts trio as star's Cruyff turns and ace World Cup claims earn ally's approval
A former Hearts star has provided the lowdown on three players he knows well from time in Gorgie.
He’s watched him cope with career lows - and Liam Boyce is buzzing to see Craig Halkett earn Hearts acclaim amid their title charge.
The centre-back has been a virtual ever-present for Tynecastle boss Derek McInnes, who’s side sit top of the Premiership by a point, heading into post-split games in the top six that begin away to Hibs. Boyce was with Halkett throughout his five-year stretch in Gorgie that ended in January 2025 and watched the defender battle through serious injuries, including a brutal ACL issue that sidelined him for almost a year.
Having also suffered that knee blow, Boyce knows how much resolve is needed to respond. That’s why the ex-Jambos striker is delighted to see his former teammate rise to such prominence that talk of a call-up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad at the World Cup this summer has arisen. The 35-year-old now at Derry City in the League of Ireland feels Halkett is finally getting the credit he merits.
What Hearts player could play for Scotland?
”I’m absolutely buzzing for him,” said Boyce in the first part of an interview with the Evening News. “Because I was there obviously when Craig done his knee and stuff. Just to see him get back and get a good run of games. Obviously he hasn't played them all, had little small injuries that’s kept them out for like a week, or a couple of weeks. But it's just good to see him back.
“I think everyone's sort of noticing that how good he actually was in that Championship season and in our first season up he was unbelievable. One of the best centre-backs I've played with. It's just good to see him playing and people are talking about him being in Scotland squad. It's just really good to see.”
Another star Boyce played with and who has impressed him this term is Cammy Devlin. The midfielder arrived in the capital from A-League side Wellington Phoenix in 2021 and has earned a reputation as a tough-tackling battler in the engine room. Boyce always thought he was more than just grafting but a cheeky piece of skill during one clash this season proved that for good.
“Everyone thinks he's just tackling,” explained Boyce. “ I think that's just a given with him but I think this year he's more confident. I think that just comes from winning games and knowing you're in a good team, you're more likely going to win games. It's just like he seems way more confident on the ball, wants the ball more, just trying like more riskier passes where he might have just passed sideways and kept it and stuff.
Liam Boyce names key Hearts players
“I messaged him, I think it was against Motherwell, the ball was coming down out of the sky and he done a Cruyff turn with his first touch. When I was there he would probably just try and back into someone or something! I think it just comes with confidence. He's an unbelievable player. It's just being in that environment where you know you can do stuff and and then when it starts to work, it sort of reinforces your thinking, and he's just doing it more often. I'm not surprised that he’s got way better but with how quick it's happened, from last year in the bottom six to now being top of the league, and being talked about as one of the best players this season. That's probably a bit of a surprise in how quickly it's happened. I knew he always had it.”
It was Lawrence Shankland who Boyce battled with for a starting spot from 2022 onwards, and upon his arrival from Beerschot, he could tell the Scotland international was something special. Returning from a hamstring problem, Boyce reckons Hearts will benefit not just from the talisman’s goals, but his leadership qualities.
”You only need to train with Shanks once to know how good the player is,” added the Northern Irishman. “When he came I thought he was just going to score loads of goals. It's the hardest thing to do in football and he does score loads of goals, but the other stuff he does, and his mentality. He's the most competitive person you'll ever meet sort of thing. No one really notices until you're with him.
“You just know the quality he has. He'll do whatever it takes for the team to win and he always scores. Some people can score but are not really involved in the game. He sort of does everything and I think you can see the difference since he's come back. He's just the perfect captain and leader for a team. He doesn't like losing, nobody does, but he takes it personal. He's been unbelievable.”
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