For all the struggles that Hearts FC have had to deal with in the past year there has been one positive thing about them going into administration. Youth, Many Hearts youngsters have been given the opportunity to play first team football and gain valuable experience throughout the campaign. One future star for Hearts is Leon Jones. Leon is a Center back and captained Scotland to victory in the Sky sports victory shield in November 2013. Leon captained the Scots in all 3 matches against Northern Ireland, Wales and England, each game was televised on Sky sports. Throughout the games Leon made a very good account of himself and is starting to get a reputation for a good, strong Center half.
Leon captains the Under 17's Hearts side and the Scottish National Under 16's team. He made his debut for the Hearts Under 20's on the 10th of September against Ross County in which he played the full match putting in a solid performance with the more experienced Adam King.
These days most modern day young footballers have been accused of being disruptive and slightly arrogant when in school however as I go to the same school as Leon this is certainly not the case Leon in 4th year is a very rounded and polite pupil and if he does not make it as a professional footballer he will definitely have the grades to fall back on, he is a very funny boy as well with a lot of self confidence but that is not to be mixed up with arrogance.
Leon is currently out with a groin injury but should be back in time for the start of next season and should hopefully make a few first team appearances in the Scottish Championship season 2014-15.
Q&A with Leon
· Joseph James: What footballer are you most like in world football?
Leon: I think maybe Carlos Puyol, we have a simular style no nonsense.
· JJ: Who is the best player you have played with and against?
Leon: The best player I’ve played against is probably St Mirrens Greg Wylde when he was at Aberdeen, he had so much pace, it was a great lesson for me. The best player I have played with is first team player Billy King.
· JJ: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are?
Leon: Well my parent’s they’ve done so much driving for me and they support me a lot. My dad goes to a lot of my games and always has some critiscism and praise for me.
· JJ: What are your hopes for the next five years then?
Leon: I’d obviously like to do well in school and maybe get a contract with the hearts first team, just keep improving really.
· JJ: Thanks Leon and good luck for the rest of the season.
Leon: Thanks, hopefully I can get closer to the first team next season and bring Hearts back to the SPFL.
Scout rating
Shooting: 6 out of 10
Passing: 7 out of 10
Tackling: 9 out of 10
Heading: 8.5 out of 10
Pace: 8 out of 10
Vision: 6.5 out of 10
Current ability: 7 out of 10
Potential ability: 8.5 out of 10
Overall rating: 46.5 out of 80
Current value: 30k
Potential value: 6 million
Article by Joseph James
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