Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is desperate to go all the way in this year’s Scottish Cup as he believes a trophy would be the perfect way to mark the progress the club has made in recent seasons.
The Australia international, who moved to Tynecastle in the summer of 2021, helped the Jambos reach the final last May, where they lost to Rangers after extra-time.
As they prepare to visit cinch Championship side Hamilton in the last 16 on Friday, Devlin is hellbent on trying to go a step further this time round with a group of players he feels have forged a strong bond together.
“It’s a massive game because if we lose we’re out the cup,” he said of the trip to Lanarkshire. “It’s my second season here and I want to make it two seasons where we reach the final and this time go one step better.
“I know the boys who have been here a bit longer had that final against Celtic (in 2020) and then we lost to Rangers in extra-time (last year).
“I know I can speak on behalf of the boys and say there is that extra hunger and desire with this group that we’ve done so well with over the last couple of years.
“Getting promotion, getting third, European football, getting some wins in European football, and still sitting in third now, so to go that one step more and win a trophy with this group of boys, and the whole club just on the up, would be super special.
“We’re such a tight-knit group, I absolutely love coming to work with these boys every day so to have something to show for it like a trophy would be unreal.”
Devlin is back in contention for the Hamilton game after missing the last two games with an injury sustained in the recent draw away to Livingston. Michael Smith is also hopeful of returning but captain Lawrence Shankland is suspended, while long-term injury victims Peter Haring, Gary Mackay-Steven, Liam Boyce, Beni Baningime, Craig Halkett and Craig Gordon are all out.
“I’m looking forward to it because I’ve missed a couple of games,” he said. “I hate missing games. The best part of your job is playing games. You train every day and do all the stuff behind the scenes to play games in front of big crowds, and that’s what brings joy as a player.
“I’ve done everything in my power since the Livingston game to be back fit and I’m feeling good and really looking forward to it.”
Hamilton are currently bottom of the Championship but are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions.
“We’ve got confidence but we respect our opponent,” said Devlin. “They’re sitting at the bottom of their league but they haven’t lost in six and have beaten some good teams so they’re in good form.
“We’ll respect them but focus more on ourselves and trying to play our game to the best of our ability.”
