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Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson insists goalkeeper Jack Hamilton underlined why he has become a Scotland squad regular after producing an outstanding save in Friday’s win over Motherwell.
The shot-stopper got down brilliantly to his right to pull off a one-handed reaction block to keep out Craig Clay’s deflected shot from close range after 21 minutes.
BT Sport summariser Chris Sutton even claimed the save was the best he had seen anywhere so far this season.
The 22-year-old and team-mate Callum Paterson have now linked up with Gordon Strachan and the rest of the national team squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovakia and Neilson insists Hamilton has shown that he can be regarded as a safe pair of hands.
Neilson said: “Phenomenal, that’s why he’s a Scottish international, that’s why he’s in and about that squad. I was delighted for him.
“I thought he dealt well with everything else. People will look at the save and say: ‘it was a wonder save’, and he does great, but he dealt with all the wee details.
“He dealt with the crosses, the headers that are coming in, he’s doing the organisation of his back four and his kicking was top drawer.
“He is showing he is handling being involved in the first team set-up at Hearts and being involved with the international set-up.”
Neilson, meanwhile, has been left disappointed that a proposed friendly match against East Fife on Thursday was called off at the League One side’s request after Gary Naysmith’s side suffered a host of injuries over the weekend.
The international break means Hearts are not back in Premiership action until the October 15 visit of Dundee.
The postponement of the scheduled October 21 clash at home to Rangers due to the Ibrox club’s Betfred Cup commitments also means that the Dundee game is Hearts’ only competitive match during a four week period.
Neilson added: “It’s a shame as we wanted to play a match to keep us ticking over but these situations can’t be helped.
“If Gary could field a team then he would, but there’s no point in having a game that wouldn’t be as competitive as it could be.
“Our boys will continue to work hard through the international break but they’ll also have some time off.
“Hopefully the ones who are away representing their countries enjoy the experience and come back fit and ready to continue our good form.”
