Cammy Devlin has detailed his 'admiration' for Celtic star Aaron Mooy as he admitted: 'I just wish we'd got one over him'.
The Hearts star revealed he was gutted when he found out from boss Robbie Neilson he would not be starting the Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Tynecastle. He came on later in the game and tried his best but says you always want to start the big matches. He respected his manager's decision after a start midweek against the same opposition.
The Jambos were behind in the capital in the open minutes of the game as Mooy fired past Zander Clark. Devlin is a huge fan of his Australia team-mate having grown up watching him strutting his stuff in the A-League and the English Premier League. It is not something he likes to say when he has been in the opposing team but admits he showed his class in the last eight showdown as the Hoops booked another trip to Hampden this season.
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Devlin said: "He’s a top player. He showed his class today. Mooy has played at the highest level. As a fellow team-mate with the national team I have nothing but admiration for him.
“I hate saying that when he’s been in the opposing team. But I have grown up watching him in the A-League and then the Premier League
“As a fellow Aussie I do admire him. He’s a great footballer and a great bloke. I just wish we'd got one over him.
He added: “I was gutted, but the manager has made a decision. You just have to respect his decision. I prepared as if I was starting because I want to come on and make a difference.
“I came on and did my best, as you always do but as a footballer you want to start matches, especially the big ones."
READ NEXT:
- Tynecastle handed elite UEFA status as Hearts prepare for European glitz and glamour ties
- Celtic 3 Hearts 1 as Jambos face Josh Ginnelly sweat, VAR plays major role - 3 things we learned
- Hearts 3 St Johnstone 0 as Josh Ginnelly brace helps keep grip on third - three things we learned