Andy Halliday would love to finish his career at Hearts.
The 31-year-old, who is under contract until 2024 at Tynecastle, has been a key member of the top team in the capital once again this season with four goals in 34 appearances in all competitions to date. He played in every single Europa Conference League group game - including finding the netl in the 2-1 home win over group bottom seeds RFS.
Steven Naismith is now in charge on an interim basis until the summer after replacing Robbie Neilson as the Gorgie men look for back to back best of the rest finishes behind Celtic and Rangers. Third spot could mean European group stage football once again - if Ange Postecoglou's men beat Inverness in the Scottish Cup - and Halliday is in no doubt he wants to remain at the highest level and compete on the biggest stage for as long as he can.
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He knows he may not have another seven or eight years at the top level, but he feels fit enough to keep working as hard as possible and knows it is down to him to show he deserves an extended stay in Gorgie when the time comes. He joined the club back in 2020 and hopes his time in maroon will extend for many more years to come.
Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “I’ve never hid from the fact that I’ve loved my time at Hearts.
“I’m not naive enough to think I’ve got another seven or eight years at the top level, but I feel fit enough. There is no doubt I would love to finish my career at the club.
“I want to play at the highest level I can, play in Europe and compete in cups. We have brought that to Hearts and I think we can maintain it.
"It's up to me to stay consistent, perform when needed and secure any future I’ve got at the club.”
On facing Celtic this coming weekend, he added: “Celtic have been the most dominant side in Scotland for a period of time. Our games against them over the last two years have been really competitive, although we haven’t always got results. We have shown ourselves in good light apart from the last game against them at Tynecastle [a 3-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat in March].
“People think because it might decide the title that it would naturally give you an extra 10 per cent. For me, it really doesn't. Whether I’m playing a kickabout in training or a Scottish Cup final, you want to win.
"That doesn’t change whether Celtic can win the league this week or next week. The fact is: They’re going to win the league. The motivation for us is getting points for Hearts. These are five massive games and we want European football for the club again next year.”
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