It would have been easy for Liam Boyce to agitate for a move away from Hearts last summer.
The striker wouldn’t have been short of suitors and with the Jambos relegated just a few months after he signed as one of their higher earners, it could have been tempting to get him off the wage bill.
But Robbie Neilson made keeping him a priority and to the player’s credit, he was all for staying and firing Hearts back to the Premiership.
He did just that with 16 goals in 29 games and is set to lead the line for Hearts in the top flight next season, where he finished top scorer for Ross County back in 2016/17.
And Stephen Craigan is convcned he’ll be key to the Tynecastle’s side’s chances of success now they are back where they belong.
“I'm delighted,” he said ahead of the Premier Sports Cup draw, which put Hearts in a group alongside Inverness, Peterhead, Cove Rangers and Stirling Albion.
“It was a shame Hearts had to go down. We all said at the time that it was wrong with how it was contrived. I think Liam has taken his medicine.
“It would have been easy to ask to get away from the club to play Premiership football. He's built up his confidence and scored some goals. He is a terrific player.
“I remember him [Boyce] playing for Northern Ireland against Austria in November. He was excellent with his back to play, his link-up play and bringing others into the game. He isn't blessed with pace but, when you aren't blessed with one attribute, the rest of your attributes have to improve.
“With Liam's hold-up play, his awareness around the box and the goals he scores, there's no doubt he will want to go back to the Premiership and probably right a few wrongs. As will the Hearts side. It's great to see him back.”
Michael Smith has consistently been one of Hearts’ better performers since signing in 2017, and Craigan believes his compatriot is only getting better for club and country.
He explained: “I've continually said that Steven Davis is like a fine wine that gets better with age. Michael Smith comes into that category. He's so versatile.
“He's been playing centre midfield for Northern Ireland, he's been playing right-back for Hearts. He has played in the middle of a back three for Hearts, as a centre-half and as a left-back as well. That versatility is crucial for a manager coming up to the top flight.
“Like Boycey, Michael Smith is a Premiership player. That's where he should have been playing. Things didn't go the way they should've gone but they've come back with a little bit of hunger and desire. That's important and they will want to show this season that Hearts are a force to be reckoned with.”
