NATHANIEL ATKINSON has already packed plenty into the last 12 months but is desperate for yet more success with Hearts and Australia in the coming weeks and months.
A goal-scorer and man-of-the-match winner as he helped Melbourne City with the A-League Grant Final last June, a few weeks later the 22-year-old had the honour of becoming an Olympian when he proudly represented his country in Tokyo.
Having caught the eye of Robbie Neilson from Down Under, Atkinson moved north to join Hearts in December and has quickly become a firm fans’ favourite at Tynecastle. He has missed just two games since making his debut against Auchinleck Talbot in January.
That Scottish Cup bow sent the Jambos on a journey to Hampden that will culminate in next month’s silverware showdown with Rangers on May 21. Victory would be an incredible climax to his first season in Scottish football, but the attacking full-back is hopeful it does not end there.
Atkinson made his full debut for Australia in March and is also eyeing the World Cup later this year if the Socceroos can book their place via their play-offs in June. Success on the international front would cap a remarkable year.
“Thankfully this time around I'm fit and healthy, with games coming in every week,” said the youngster referring to his fitness battle ahead of Melbourne’s Grand Final last year. “Everyone is just looking forward to the 21st of May. The final is a big game, especially against Rangers - this is probably one of the biggest cups up for grabs for me, personally, to win.
“I’ve had a joke with a few of the boys that I’m known for scoring in the Grand Final. It would be nice to score a goal, but the main thing is getting the win. Anything is possible and it would be a bit of a cherry on top to score a goal. But we have to get there first and see what happens.
“I got my [Australia] debut in the last camp and that has made me nothing but more hungry. The best way to put your foot forward with the national team is to perform with your club and, with big games coming up against the Old Firm and the cup final as well, it will put me in a good position to get on the plane to the two crucial qualifiers.
“It was a long time coming and it was a proud moment, not just for me but my family, who have made a lot of sacrifices as well. We are having a bit of a tough time with the Socceroos at the moment, having to go through qualifiers and not going through automatically. But, for me personally, it was an amazing feeling.”
Reflecting on a whirlwind spell as he prepared for the Premiership visit of Ross County, Atkinson added: “If you were to have said to me 18 months ago I would be here right now I would probably have laughed at you. But football moves quickly and everything happens for a reason.
“If you work hard, you get performances and you get these types of opportunities. I’m nothing but grateful and blessed at the moment.”
