Source: Team_Talk
Stevenson aiming to impress Jim
Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson aims to show boss Jim Jefferies he is good enough to be a regular in the Jambos' first team.[LNB] The 25-year-old says he has had his settling-in period after moving to Tynecastle from Ayr United in the January transfer window.[LNB]And he is now determined to make his mark at the Edinburgh club by ensuring he becomes a permanent fixture in Jefferies' plans.[LNB]Speaking from Hearts' training camp in Italy, he said: "I made sure I worked hard during the summer and I looked after myself to give me the best opportunity for this season.[LNB]"Last year was really about finding my feet and this year is about trying to make sure I'm playing every week and I'm playing well every week.[LNB]"It's a massive pre-season for me and that's why I'm trying to hit the ground running."[LNB]The departures of Michael Stewart and Laryea Kingston means a new midfielder could be top of Jefferies' summer wish-list but Stevenson is not worried.[LNB]"That's up to the manager," he said. "We've got good midfielders here just now and if he brings in another one, I'm sure whoever he brings in will be a very good player.[LNB]"It's up to me to try to play as well as I can and show the manager that I'm one of the best midfielders here and that I'm going to play for him."[LNB]However, he knows that he has to impress in pre-season training more than most after being ruled out of Hearts' Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener against St Johnstone next month.[LNB]"It's a bit of a blow that I'm suspended for the first game," Stevenson told Hearts TV. "I got booked against Celtic in the last game of the season and I'm suspended against St Johnstone.[LNB]"But I've got to work hard during pre-season and in the games that I play and try and show that I'm worthy of coming back in for the game against Hamilton.[LNB]"That's what I'll try to do, establish myself during pre-season and show that I'm good enough to play in his team."
