Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson believes Jamie Walker's increased focus and work ethic has put him on a path to stardom after lauding the precocious winger as the most technically gifted player at Tynecastle.
The 21-year-old has arguably been Hearts' stand-out performer in recent weeks, scoring five times in his last seven appearances and showing a distinct improvement in fitness and physique. Neilson believes the arrival of his first child last December has focused Walker's mind and put him on course to fulfil his undoubted potential.
And the Hearts boss revealed that midfielder Miguel Pallardo - who boasts 179 appearances in Spain's top two divisions and came through the ranks at Valencia alongside the likes of David Silva and Raul Albiol - also believes Walker has the world at his feet.
Neilson said: "I spoke to Jamie in pre-season about where I believe he can get to in football and what he needs to do to get there. He can play out wide or as a no.10. He has the ability to excel in any of those positions and is probably technically the best player we have at the football club. I think he has really pushed on this season. He has a kid now and it has given him a focus to really push himself as far as he can go in his career.
"I know that [assistant head coach] Stevie [Crawford] was speaking to Miguel Pallardo about Jamie and he was raving about him. Miguel has played in Spain for 10 years - and he believes Jamie is one of the best he has seen. I think if he can continue to work hard and get his fitness levels as high as they can go, then I see him having a massive future in the game."
Before considering the bright lights of La Liga or English football, Walker's more immediate challenge will be to continue his fine form against Cowdenbeath this evening. It is a fixture which, to say the very least, Hearts are expected to win as they seek to continue their procession back to the Scottish Premiership. And striker Soufian El Hassnaoui is set to make his comeback for the club after spending three months sidelined with an ankle injury picked up against Rangers in November.
Neilson continued: "I believe Soufi will have a part to play this season, he definitely has qualities that will help us in the run in. "It is frustrating for him and frustrating for us. But that's part of football. His attitude is great, his technique is fantastic - we just need to get him fit. "He is just getting back to his best and when he has come on in the under-20s you can see he is getting there. It has been a difficult season for him, but he definitely has quality, that's the reason we have brought him in."
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