What Hearts expect from midfielder Andy Halliday and why there is more to come

Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday is improving with each match.

Halliday and Andy Irving are currently the favoured central midfield pairing as Neilson combines experienced aggression with youthful guile.

Both enjoyed strong displays in Friday night’s 1-0 win at Ayr United as Hearts restored their 12-point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship.

Riccarton coaching staff believe Halliday is now finding his rhythm having joined the club only days before their competitive season began last October.

His fitness gradually improved after missing out on pre-season training and his name is regularly in the starting line-up. Neilson, though, believes the 29-year-old hasn’t yet shown his full capabilities.

“Andy is a very experienced player but I still think there is more to come from him,” the manager told the Evening News. “We brought him in here late, he hadn't done a pre-season and had done very little training since March.

“The more games he gets, the more we're starting to see the real Andy Halliday. Even towards the end of Friday's game, he was bursting through the midfield to get forward. That's what we want from him.”

The ongoing evolution of 20-year-old Irving has also been noted, with Tynecastle officials still negotiating over his new contract. “I was really pleased with Andy on Friday,” said Neilson.

“We spoke to him at the start of the season about bringing that tenacity to his game. He needed to recognise where the knockdowns were going to land and make sure he got in front of people. I think he's learning that. You can see him improving every week in that department.”

New arrivals Gervane Kastaneer and Aaron McEneff made their debuts as second-half substitutes at Somerset Park.

“I think there is more to come from a number of the boys,” continued Neilson. “I was really pleased with McEneff coming in. I thought he brought energy and quality in midfield.

“You could also see what Kastaneer brings on the wing. On the couple of occasions he got at somebody, he got himself down the line and showed his power. It was a difficult surface to do that because it was heavy and bobbly.”

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