Blair Spittal believes he is “ready to push onto bigger things” as he heads into his first league season at Hearts.
The ex-Motherwell midfielder signed a pre-contract with the Tynecastle club in March, having also enjoyed spells in the Scottish top-flight with Dundee United, Partick Thistle and Ross County.
“I said when I signed, the position I play you are judged by how much you create, your goals and assists,” Spittal told Sky Sports.
“I managed to do that over the last couple of seasons. I feel as though this is a stage in my career where I’m ready to push onto bigger things. Hopefully better years are ahead of me.”
The 28-year-old has featured prominently for Hearts in pre-season in a deeper midfield role – mainly due to injuries to Calem Nieuwenhof and Beni Baningime.
“It’s been a tough pre-season, I’ve loved getting going,” he added. “It’s a massive club with massive expectations, but it’s one that I feel that I’m ready for.
“It’s an old cliche but I take each game as it comes. I just want to come here and establish myself. It’s a team that are used to winning games and I’m under no illusions how difficult it will be to get in the side. Hopefully when I get my chance, I can take it.”
Spittal was announced as a Hearts signing the same day as left-back James Penrice – a former team-mate at Partick Thistle.
“It’s nice to come into a changing room where I know a few people from previous clubs that I’ve been at,” Spittal added. “It makes that bedding in process easier. Pre-season is a good opportunity to get to know the rest of the boys. We had a good trip in Tenerife. It’s a good changing room and the boys have been good with me so far.”
Partick Thistle,Blair Spittal,Hearts,Dundee United,Beni Baningime,Calem Nieuwenhof,James Penrice
