New Hearts man Stephen Humphrys has revealed that Graeme Shinnie sold him on a move to Gorgie.
The Wigan Athletic striker has joined the Jambos on loan until the end of the season. Robbie Neilson needed a striker after Liam Boyce ruptured his cruciate ligament in the weekend’s 302 win over St Johnstone. Enquiries were reportedly made for Christian Ramirez and Celtic's Mikey Johnston, but the Tynecastle club have managed to get Humphrys over the line.
And the 24-year-old has been getting the lowdown on the Gorgie Boys from Latics' teammate and Scotland international Graeme Shinnie. The former Aberdeen star faced off against Hearts often enough for both the Dons and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He was on hand to advise Humphrys on what to expect from the SPFL in general and one of its big hitters in the Jam Tarts. He described the Oriam training base is up there with anything in England, and Humphrys wasn't disappointed when Neilson showed him around the new office.
“I spoke to Graeme Shinnie about the SPFL in general and about Hearts,” he said. “He said the facilities they’ve got are second to none and literally Premier League standard. The gaffer’s shown me around and they’re incredible.
“The fans have sold out their season tickets with 1,000 on the waiting list. You can feel the stature of the club. It’s a privilege to be here and I can't wait to get started.”
A league One title winner with Wigan last year, Humphrys believes that will stand him in good stead as he settles into life in the capital. Primarily a striker, he can operate in other positions as well and has outlined what he’ll add to an already impressive Hearts forward line, even without Boyce.
“I think just a winning mentality,” he told Hearts TV “Last season, we were excellent at Wigan. Even in the tough times, the lads stuck together. I’ve got a will to win and I’l bring that competitive edge.
“I’d say I’m an honest player. The last season, I’ve not played as much as I’d have liked to. I like to think of myself as a goalscorer and someone who won't turn down a one-on-one; I’ll always try and beat my man. Two-footed and a bit of pace as well.
Humphrys is in line to make his Hearts debut against Livingston this Saturday. Once that’s out the way, there’s the small matter of Istanbul Basaksehir under the lights at Tynecastle to kick off the Europa Conference League group stage campaign next Thursday.
“It was huge, yeah,” Humphrys said of his impending Euro adventure. “Even if there wasn’t the European football, but the fact that the club is going to be testing itself against the likes of Fiorentina, you don't get those opportunities at all in your career. “To come here and test myself against teams like that and be involved in European competition, it was just impossible to say no to.
“I’m ready to get going. I’ve trained every day and had behind closed doors games at Wigan. On paper, I've not been playing 90 minutes but behind the scenes I’;ve been keeping fit and playing matches throughout the week so I’m ready to go.”
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