Craig Levein insisted that Ryan Edwards has earned his spot in recent match day squads after not featuring for Hearts since pre-season.
The Australian midfielder arrived at Tynecastle on a free transfer from relegated Partick Thistle on a two-year deal last summer.
Edwards played regularly enough over pre-season and featured in the Betfred Cup group stages, but found himself down the pecking order fairly quickly.
Levein had previously explained that he didn’t expect to be getting Steven Naismith back on a season-long loan from Norwich when he signed Edwards.
The Norwich forward’s arrival meant Edwards found himself out of Levein’s plans, and he faced increased competition when Sean Clare was added later on.
That prompted Hearts to send Edwards on loan to St Mirren. Despite en encouraging start, things didn’t really work out for him in Paisley.
Public praise for teammate Adam Hammill’s wonder strike in a 2-0 victory over Hearts provoked a less than understanding reaction from some Jambos on social media, and it seemed Edwards wouldn’t be seen again in maroon.
However, he returned to the club in January and continued to feature for Andy Kirk’s reserve side as one of the older heads. He netted two in the SPFL Reserve Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen and started as Hearts beat Motherwell 2-0 in the final.
A surprise inclusion in the squad to face Rangers at Tynecastle suggested he could have some part to play before the season was out.
His introduction in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 Edinburgh derby draw with Hibs gave Hearts some much needed fresh legs and energy, as Edwards helped share the job of pressing with a tiring Uche Ikpeazu and got forward to support after Steven MacLean came on as well.
Craig Levein hails Uche Ikpeazu's strength of character after late derby goal
He was close to scoring a dramatic goal as well when Hibs ‘keeper Ofir Marciano had to make sure he got something on a short pass back to prevent Edwards having an open goal in which to roll in to.
With a Scottish Cup final on the horizon, fans have been asking whether Edwards should get a run out in the final three games of the season, both to give certain starters a rest and also a chance to see what he can do.
Levein’s comments after his cameo at the weekend hinted that he could well see himself far more involved as the season draws to a close.
“Obviously since he has come back from St Mirren in the first half of the season our midfield has been pretty strong to be honest, he has just not had a look in,” said the Hearts boss.
“He has worked really hard in training and played in reserve games and done well. With us playing Connor [Smith] I did not think he would last the 90 minutes and he is an all energy type player and the idea was if he did tire we would use Connor.”
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