Jamie McCart reveals Hearts move was sold to him MONTHS ago as he eyes St Johnstone silverware repeat

Tynecastle new boy is hoping to add to the two winners gongs he picked up with Saints after returning north of the border.

Jamie McCart left Scotland and St Johnstone three years ago after winning two cups - and a relegation dogfight. The defender scaled the heights with Saints’ sensational Hampden double in 2021 before skirting the depths as they escaped the drop 12 months later in a drop zone play-off double header with Inverness.

It was a topsy turvy time for the former Inverness and Celtic man. But now he’s returned not of the border with Hearts he’s hoping to add to his collection of silverware - but only after avoiding another dose of relegation rough and tumble.

Hearts remain in the relegation play off zone ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Aberdeen. But after winning back to back games for the first time this season Neil Critchley’s men are looking up. And McCart, who signed a four-and-a-half year deal from Rotherham last week despite having options down south, hopes his spell in Gorgie will add to his trophy cabinet.

He said: “Yeah, there's probably an expectation at a club like this, and I think that's what we've got to strive for. Cup competitions can always be different. It's a one-off game. Anything can happen, but I definitely think that can be the aim. It's always the same at a club like Hearts, the ambitions and the standards that the club and the fans demand, which is to be up close at the top of the table and competing for a cup.

“Our current goal is obviously just to keep climbing the table, keep getting three points on the board. But at a club like Hearts, the standards are so high that you've got to keep pushing for more.”

Fellow Saints double winning hero Zander Clark was instrumental in convincing McCart to move to Tynecastle - months before an offer even arrived. He said: “I speak to Zander all the time, and he was obviously giving me feedback on how the club was when the new gaffer came in. He sold it to me months before I actually knew I was coming!

“He always spoke so highly of the club, the staff. I think he said we're in a sticky position, but I think they're really confident that we can get out of it, and I think we've shown that so far that we will.”

McCart picked up a League Two winners’ medal while on loan at Leyton Orient from Rotherham two seasons ago then helped Barnsley reach the League One play-offs last year. And he reckons those experiences under gaffers including Steve Evans and Neill Collins mean he returns north a better player.

He said: “I played under quite a few managers. Different styles, different methodology. It was a really good experience. Obviously, it didn't go the way I would like overall, but I got to play for Rotherham, Barnsley and Leyton Orient. I'd say apart from Rotherham obviously getting relegated from the Championship, it was two successful times, winning League 2 with Leyton Orient and getting to the play-offs with Barnsley.

“So, I think it stood me in good stead. I was lucky to play in the Championship, League 1 and League 2, so I experienced all sides of it. Being at a team that has backs against the wall, a team that dominates possessions, I've had a lot of good experiences there. I feel I'm definitely coming into my prime.”

McCart’s only league goal for St Johnstone came against the Jambos four years ago. It’s not a stat he was willing to offer up on his own in his first week as a Jambo.

But he was far comfier looking ahead to his first taste of Tynecastle as a Hearts player - which will come when Kilmarnock visit on January 25. He said: “Tynecastle is probably my favourite stadium to play at. Even as an opposition player, it's just a really good arena to play football, so I'll be looking forward to it.

“Yes, my only league goal was against Hearts, a header at the back post. We'll forget about that, though!”