Billy King: I’ll return to Hearts but future is unlear

[ian1964 10,447]

Billy King returns to Hearts this summer unclear on his future. A six-month loan at Rangers expires at the end of the season, but King is unsure what lies ahead at his parent club despite his contract running until June 2017.

 

He remains convinced that a temporary move to Ibrox was correct to ensure more game time. It also helped the 21-year-old retain a place in the Scotland Under-21 squad, who face France in Angers tonight. An added bonus is the fact he is likely to win another Championship title to add to last season’s triumph in the same league with Hearts.

 

King has no idea whether he will fit into plans at Tynecastle next season. Nonetheless, with Europa League qualifiers beginning on June 30, he is eager to play a part and re-establish himself in maroon.

 

“There’s no buy clause, it’s a six-month loan to Rangers and I’ll be returning to Hearts in the summer,” he told the Evening News in an exclusive interview. “The Hearts team are doing really well just now, they look like they’ve secured third place and they’re sitting in a really good position.

 

“The first European qualifier is on June 30 so that’s definitely something to look forward to. We’ll be putting in a lot of work preparing for that game and trying to get through.

 

“The loan has been good for me so far. I think it’s a stepping stone in my development. We’ll see what happens at the end of the season. You never know what’s going to happen over the summer with players coming in and going out, and how the gaffer [at Hearts] decides to play.

 

“I’m just enjoying it and 
taking it as it comes. I’m trying to enjoy the moment and I’m not too busy thinking about the future.”

 

King has managed three starts and four substitute 
appearances since joining Rangers on transfer deadline day at the start of February. He revealed how he badgered Robbie Neilson, the Hearts head coach, throughout January 
asking to leave on loan.

 

“I wasn’t playing at Hearts and I think I needed a change. It was frustrating for me at Hearts, to be honest,” he admitted. “I needed a change of environment to get a fresh start, a fresh run at things. I think moving to Rangers has done that. I’m playing and training with a smile on my face so it’s been good so far.

 

“I was always wanting to go out on loan in January. I didn’t know which clubs were interested, my agent kept that quiet. I just told him I wanted to try and get out somewhere. I was delighted when he told me Rangers were interested and, obviously, it happened quite quickly. I’m just glad Robbie let me go out on loan.

 

“I asked him a few times 
earlier in January and he just kept saying ‘no’. I spoke to him at training the day I left and he said: ‘We’re going to let you go.’ I was delighted getting the chance to get away because I knew it was Rangers. I think it was for the better for the both parties.

 

“There were only three wingers, me, Sam [Nicholson] and Jamie [Walker]. Jamie was injured at the time and when Robbie let me go he said: ‘Jamie’s coming back and we play with one winger here so we’re going to let you go because Jamie’s looking quite fit.’ I think that was the main reason.

 

“Everything is going well at Rangers. We had a disappointing result against Falkirk last week but apart from that we’ve been doing well. If I don’t start for Rangers, I know I’m going to come on and get 30 minutes. In that respect, you’re getting a good chunk of game time and that’s the reason I wanted to go on loan.

 

“I came in and scored on my debut. I’ve come on in a few games and done well. I’ve got a lot more to give because I haven’t reached my full potential yet. That’ll come. It’s taken a while to get settled into the team. The way Rangers play is different to Hearts. I’ve started three games and that’s helped me keep my place in the 
Scotland Under-21 squad. Hopefully I can keep it going.”

 

Internationl duty sees King again link up with Hearts colleagues Nicholson, Jordan McGhee, Jack Hamilton and Liam Smith. They are all expected to feature over the next few days as Scotland embark on vital European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against France and Northern Ireland.

 

“It was good seeing them as I haven’t seen them in a while. Big Soapy [John Souttar] has been a good signing for Hearts,” said King, who scored against the French in a 2-1 defeat at Pittodrie last October.

 

Tonight’s gameplan will be to stifle France and try to hit on the counter-attack, which may mean a role for King from the start. Coach Ricky Sbragia faces a difficult, albeit not impossible, task to guide the young Scots to next summer’s finals in Poland. They are currently fourth in qualifying Group 3, five points behind second-placed France and six behind leaders Iceland but with a game in hand on both countries.

 

“We’ve done video on the French and we know they keep the ball really well,” said King. “They’re a physical side, they’re all fast and they’re all strong. We will need to be really good defensively and break at the right times on the counter-attack. France have drawn a couple of games and they lost to Iceland, so they’re definitely vulnerable to the counter-
attack.

 

“I think I’m good defensively as a wide player. When you play against teams with a lot of possession, you need to be good on the counter-attack. You could say the same about most wingers. The general winger has pace and should be good on the break. Ricky has a lot of players to choose from.”

 

He also has a lot to consider from the opposition, with the likes of Paris Saint Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot a dominant presence.

 

“I don’t think Kingsley Coman will be involved, thankfully,” smiled King, acknowledging that the Juventus winger on loan at Bayern Munich has been promoted to the full France squad since that last meeting in Aberdeen.

 

“They still have the boy 
Rabiot and these guys are top players. We’ll need to be at our best. A draw would be a decent result going into the Northern Ireland game.”

 

With Neilson expected to attend both matches, strong displays from King would help his case come June when he reports back to Riccarton.

 

Read more: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/billy-king-i-ll-return-to-hearts-but-future-is-unlear-1-4080752#ixzz43oENYNCO

[Frankie 8,182]

Have been impressed with the lad who I reckon has improved game on game. Thought he was very bright against Falkirk and we definitely struggled after he went off.

 

Might be worth a permanent deal but I guess that will depend on what alternatives we have and what Hearts are asking for him.

[rbr 1,247]

I think hes another example of a player who has improved markedly in the short space of time he's been with us , especially his positional play or as they like to call it "pitch geography"

[ian1964 10,447]

Did MW bring him in with the view to signing him?,MW obviously rates him otherwise he would not have brought him in!

[calscot 0]

At least he has a name that was bandied about before MW got here (although maybe just for the name itself). I haven't seen enough of him but he's been reasonably well received so can't see why he can't at least become a squad player considering our finances.

 

When you look at our results this season and compare us to Hearts, it's hard to say if we're any better, although I think is fair to say we're not significantly worse. I think we may be about the same level with potential to overtake them without great investment - although we do have a squad who must cost about twice and much as Hearts. So basically, taking one of their players is in keeping with the standard we currently have.

 

However, with our wage bill at £6m and Celtic's at least 4 times as much as that, all things being equal I don't think we can't hope to compete for the title without strengthening with players with some who have the talent to command similar salaries to their top stars. Not unless MW can really unearth some amazing bargains and where the whole of the team becomes more than the sum of its parts.

 

However, all things aren't quite equal and while they have been praised for their value for money, which possibly makes them harder to compete with than their investment suggests, their manager brings them down quite a few levels - but that's easily remedied, at least partially. I don't think their current ethos helps them either, and that can be to our advantage.

 

With the current squad I think we'd be competing with Hearts and Aberdeen for second place, but I think our players are good enough that they can make up the numbers around about 5 new top EC level players in order to complete a team capable of competing for the SP championship.

 

In conclusion, I think BK can be one of those who makes up the numbers.

Edited March 24, 2016 by calscot

[Whosthedado 1,519]

I think a deal will be struck between the clubs in the summer

[MacK1950 2,249]

A good loan deal and not from big London clubs apart from Ball best yet in loans.