It’s no small accomplishment to have made 22 Hearts appearances and qualify for Europe in less than a year after the club let you go. Even though Aidan Denholm has made significant progress in the past 12 months, he is not content. Though he is realistic enough to realise that his battle for breakthrough is still ongoing, he is also aware of what is coming next.
Only a few weeks remain until new midfielders arrive at Riccarton, and Denholm is well aware of the urgency of leaving his mark before the following campaign. The 20-year-old knows there is still more work to be done because third place in the Premiership is still up for grabs.
Having only played twice since the beginning of the year, he, like many of his Riccarton colleagues, is itching for more playing time. Along with Livingston full-back James Penrice, Hearts have agreed to pre-contracts for Yan Dhanda and Blair Spittal, who will come from Motherwell and Ross County, respectively, this summer. Denholm faces stiff competition from Dhanda and Spittal in especially for a midfield position.
Denholm is convinced he has what it takes to overcome the next obstacle after overcoming the heartbreak of being cut by the Hearts this time last year, returning to Steven Naismith’s starting lineup, and signing a three-year deal. In an exclusive interview with Edinburgh News, he gave an explanation for why his fans have only seen a fraction of his actual potential thus far.
“Obviously, players will be added, but that’s how football works. Competition will always exist,” he stated. “I have to really secure that place and put my stamp down in the next few games.” I can then demonstrate my abilities to the fans. There have, in my opinion, been hints of it. I doubt that I’ve shown my true self yet but I’m getting there.
“St Mirren at home is the game that really sticks out to me.” For me and the squad, that was a really fantastic game. I’ve played at Rosenborg, which was a significant event, and I also went to Celtic away. I’m still learning, therefore there will be blunders throughout my first season.
“I need to give myself a lot of attention. I’ve showed in flashes what I’m capable of, so it’s about being given another chance. It’s about seizing the opportunity if we can finish in third and I realise it. Competition may arise from new players, but that has always been the case during my career. It was competitive to get a part-time contract here. Released and returning, all you have to do is perform well mental fortitude. I believe I’ve conveyed that. All I have to do right now is rejoin the team and get to work.
Once Hearts finish in third place, Naismith will have the chance to provide younger players with greater experience. That might occur this weekend, contingent upon the outcome. Denholm is aware that after the problem is fixed, chances are more likely to present themselves.
He grinned and said, “I keep saying this and I’m going to keep saying it: People forget it’s actually my first season.” “I wish to acquire as many games as possible. I hope to win third place and have a great time as a Hearts supporter. Kilmarnock is a difficult area to visit, so Saturday’s point there might end up being quite good.
“I still have a lot to learn. Both as a member of the team and personally, I’ve had a great season. I feel like I’ve learned a lot and will benefit from it even if I’m not playing, in the squad, starting, or coming on. I’ve contributed.
Denholm is pleased that he was able to play in midfield with fellow Riccarton youth academy alum Macaulay Tait during the latter minutes of Kilmarnock’s 0-0 draw. Hearts want to do better at developing players internally, as Naismith has repeatedly said in public. We have great expectations for two products: Denholm and Tait.
Denholm stated, “It’s fantastic for the Hearts supporters to see two academy boys step up and show what they can do in the first team by playing in midfield with Macaulay.” “Macaulay has performed incredibly well this year, and we have now both participated in a cup semifinal. It is really beneficial to the academy. Many males are observing Macaulay and me and realising that we are getting a chance. They also will. It indicates that these young players ought to be prepared.
After a commanding display, Hearts were a little let down by their one-point defeat at Rugby Park. Even though the Edinburgh club is currently 11 points ahead, Kilmarnock is the only team that might theoretically defeat them to third place has twelve games remaining.
We had plenty of opportunities, particularly in the first half. Even though we didn’t score, I thought we played some very great things,” said Denholm. “It’s likely that we have fallen short in the last three games—Rangers in the Scottish Cup semifinal and Kilmarnock—in the final third. The good news is that we are the ones providing the opportunities, and they are coming from diverse sources.
“If I didn’t mention him, he would be furious: [Jorge] Granty had a chance, Kenny Vargas had one, Shanks [Lawrence Shankland], and Cammy [Devlin] hit the bar.” We’ve played well overall, even though it’s unfortunate not to score. The final point was a solid one.
