New Hearts signing explains why he chose Tynecastle over Spurs
The 16-year-old Riccarton academy graduate spent a week on trial at the English Premier League club before deciding his future prospects would be better served in Edinburgh.
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Hide AdThe reason is simple: He sees a clearer pathway to first-team football at Tynecastle Park. The thought of under-18 football, under-23s and possibly a loan move didn’t appeal in London.
“I went down for a week’s trial at Spurs,” he explained to the Evening News. “It was just to see what it was like down in England, get a bit more experience and see what I could learn.
“I wanted to see if I liked it and compare myself to the other boys. England is meant to be the best league in the world with all the best players.
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Hide Ad“I went down and tried it but I decided on Hearts. I think this is a better club for me to progress. There is more likelihood of me getting into the first team here.
“I’ve signed a professional contract here but in England you don’t get that until you’re 18. You need to go on a scholarship, then go through under-23s, which is a long age-group when you step up from under-18s.
“Only after that can you look at the first team, or possibly a loan. I thought if I stayed here I could push myself. Hopefully I can break into the first team because I’ve already played for the reserves.
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Hide Ad“I think everyone in my family was kind of rooting for England because it was a bigger club but then we all realised it’s not all about moving early.
“Everyone is really happy that I spoke to Robbie Neilson and everything was good to come back. My family are proud that I’ve got a contract here, but also proud that I went down and experienced England, stayed in digs, things like that.”
Hearts offered Flatman a contract earlier this summer and were told he wanted to try England. He hails from near Coatbridge and joined the Riccarton youth academy four years ago from Stenhousemuir.
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Hide AdHe now joins John Rankin’s under-18 squad. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to get but I ended up getting a three-year deal. “It’s a great atmosphere at the club so I’m really happy,” said the teenager, who has clear ideas on how he wants to develop his game.
“I’m just a really aggressive centre-back. I’d say I’m modern when I’m on the ball. I’m right-footed but I can play left centre-back.
“Everybody looks at [Virgil] Van Dijk and I know very centre-back will say that. I like people like Nemanja Vidic – a really aggressive defender who goes for everything. I like the way Van Dijk plays on the ball.”
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Hide AdAdvice from Hearts predecessors like Christophe Berra is already being taken on board. “I’ve trained with Christophe a few times and he has coached us a few times as well. That is a factor in making me a better player,” said Flatman.
“Aaron Hughes also came in and coached for a while. Getting tips from really experienced centre-backs like them is great for me.”