The Hearts star who has been one of the signings of the season - and best since Takis Fyssas

There was a moment in Hearts’ recent league fixture with Inverness CT where Stephen Kingsley transformed into an inverted winger.

Stephen Kingsley has been an important signing for Hearts. Picture: SNS

He read the game brilliantly to intercept a forward past before embarking on a meander into the Highlanders’ half. The wander took him across the field to the right hand touchline where he displayed strength, control, poise and a wee bit of skill.

It had those watching wondering if there was anything their left-back couldn't do, while cementing his status as one of the best signings in Scotland at any level.

When there was first speculation that the one-time Scotland cap could arrive at Tynecastle there was a certain amount of intrigue as well as semblance of fatalism amongst fans. This is a player who prior to signing on the dotted line had missed large chunks of football in recent seasons through injury.

The scepticism was understandable from a Hearts supporters point of view. They have grown tired of being stung in the past with regards to players with a history of injury issues.

Best since Takis

Any mistrust has well and truly vanished, for Kingsley has arguably been the player of the campaign so far, each passing performance only heightening a claim made by this writer that he is the best left-back Hearts have had since a certain Takis Fyssas, which some may (understandably) find harsh on Lee Wallace.

As soon as he stepped on to the pitch against Inverness in the Betfred Cup for his debut there was a positive feeling about the signing. He just seemed a natural fit.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 16: Stephen Kingsley in action for Hearts during a Scottish Championship match between Hearts and Dundee at Tynecastle, on October 16, 2020, in Edinburgh, Scotland (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

That has not been the case at Hearts for a while, especially at left-back which has, at times, been somewhat of a problem position.

But go through an imaginary checklist in your head and you will be tick-daft. Defensive positioning, strength, aerial ability, one v one with wingers, passing, composure, width, attacking output, set-piece delivery.

Calming influence

In short, Hearts have a very classy left-back. A player who is reliable and trustworthy. Those qualities were on display off the bench against East Fife in the Betfred Cup during the week when the defence was ragged. He has that calming influence.

Already he’s on the way to making fans feel the same way they feel about Michael Smith.

It is testament to Robbie Neilson’s recruitment with the 26-year-old pinpointed early on in the summer as a key target with the ability to also play at centre-back.

Kingsley has also shown his importance in attack. Against ICT recently, he delivered a brilliant ball for Steven Naismith to score the opener and nearly set up Liam Boyce in the first half after breaking the lines with a bombarding run.

But it is his technique which really sets him apart in the final third, able to thunder a shot in like the one against Dundee or go for a more composed and controlled side foot.

From a signing which raised suspicions to a player fans are now desperate to see sign an extended deal, Kingsley has made the left-back slot his own. It is something supporters should take great comfort in.