Young striker’s ambition is to cement his spot in the first-team . . . then he can think about goals

The young Hearts striker just wants games, and as many of them as possible.

Smith has been involved on just three occasions so far in this campaign, twice from the bench, and one precious start in the victory over Aberdeen at Tynecastle last weekend.

That taste of first-team action from the start in the 2-0 victory over the Dons has left Smith wanting more and he is hoping that manager John McGlynn will have seen enough over that 68 minutes – he was substituted as the game entered the final stages and replaced by Dale Carrick – to convince him to use him 
again this weekend against St Johnstone in Perth.

Smith said: “My only target this season is to start as many games as I can. That is what it has always been.

“Everyone who is a professional football player just wants to spend as much time as possible being involved in competitive games, it is only natural. That’s what I am looking for, get more starts and show what I can do.

“It can be difficult to come into the side like that, especially when the only other times I have been involved this season are two substitutes appearances.

“After the first 15 minutes or so go past, it’s like you’ve never been out of the side and it just feels normal to you.

“I thought I did okay.”

Hearts manager John McGlynn revealed that youngster Scott Robinson has not been suspended by the club, but that his fate will be decided at a meeting between the club, player and his agent at some point next week.

With his agent currently abroad, Robinson has been told to stay away from training in the meantime after he refused to accept a seat on the bench for the home game against Aberdeen last weekend.

Smith admits that it can be frustrating to find yourself on the sidelines, or in the squad but not used over the course of the 90 minutes, although he acknowledged that patience can be one of the most valuable tools for a young footballer.