MALAURY MARTIN may have made his Hearts debut in the modest surroundings of Kirkcaldy, but the conversation which sparked his desire to embark on a Scottish adventure could barely have been more glamorous.
The 28-year-old has revealed how his appetite to experience the SPFL was whetted over a lunch in the hills of Monte Carlo, the affluent millionaire’s paradise, as he picked the brains of former Rangers players Julien Rodriguez and Dado Prso.
A Monaco academy product, Martin’s career has since taken him to England, Switzerland and Norway. However, his family remain on the Cote D’Azur and, in a twist of fate, a spot of winter training brought him face to face with the former Ibrox pair.
Prso, in particular, holds cult status among the Rangers faithful for his efforts between 2004 and 2007, including helping Rangers to their famous Helicopter Sunday title triumph.
“Before I came here I was with Dado Prso and Julien Rodriguez,” he explained. “There is a place where everybody goes to train, close to where Monaco train at La Turbie. It is in the hills, you have a forest and everybody goes there to run. It's a place where [Didier] Deschamps [the French national team manager and former Monaco coach] used to go. Also a lot of big names in football go there to train and stay fit.
“Now, Dado and Julien don't train, they just eat there. After Christmas, I was there with a friend of mine and we spoke about Scotland. This was before I knew Hearts wanted me, but still they told me how much they enjoyed being here. In particular, they said how the fans and the atmosphere were great.
“Dado is a nice big man. His son is now playing for Nice in their academy, actually. He had a good record here with Rangers but mostly I remember him because I was in the stadium when he scored his four goals against La Coruna in the Champions League [2002/03].
“I know [Tony] Andreu too. We were born in the same town and we are the same age. We played against each other when we were eight years old. I saw him in the summer and he told me he enjoyed Scotland. Everybody knows the reputation here.”
However, it would not be disrespectful to suggest Martin was tipped for bigger things than Tynecastle as a teenager. He arrives with an impeccable pedigree, having captained France at youth level and emerged through the ranks at the State Louis II, playing alongside Patrice Evra under the tutelage of Didier Deschamps.
“When I was at Monaco I trained and worked with some great names,” he added. “I am proud to have played for the first-team and to have worked with true talents. I was there with Patrice Evra and Deschamps was the coach, and you learn so much from these top stars. Monaco will always be special for me and, even now, any young player there is lucky to work with great players.”
However, bold decisions and devastating injuries have lead Martin to Gorgie, and have ensured he is visibly desperate to finally fulfil his potential.
He departed Monaco for Blackpool – then in the English Premier League – in 2010, only for a crushing knee injury to sideline him for six months. A loan stint at Middlesbrough was similarly plagued before he rebuilt his career and fitness in Switzerland with Lausanne and subsequently thriving in Norway during spells with with Sandnes Ulf and Lillestrom.
“I cancelled my contract at Monaco because it was an unstable time and the people controlling the club told me I was not in there plans,” added Martin. “The opportunity to join Blackpool was great but, after that, I had injuries and it was tough. But I don’t regret my big decisions.
“I feel my best is yet to come as a player. I've been out twice with injuries on my knee and I didn't play for two seasons in total because of that. That means I'm 28 on paper but, in my head, I'm 24.
"My ambitions for myself and my team-mates will be high. I'm here to win. I hope we can win the Scottish Cup first and qualify the team for the Europa League. After that, we will see for the league next season. I am here because I'm really ambitious to win titles.”
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