There was a time when the tenacious midfielder was viewed as a goalscore
Cammy Devlin used to be a striker while growing up in Australia, but he is now changing his style to become a more complete midfielder for Hearts. The 25-year-old looks back on the experience of being used as an attacker in his early years with a lighthearted smile.
“It seems quite obvious to me that I’m not the best goal scorer. I also enjoy taking on too much. That’s two fairly significant things, Devlin grinned. Ever since recovering from an ankle injury last month, he has been enjoying playing a little bit more advanced under Hearts head coach Steven Naismith.
“As you can undoubtedly see, I was a striker for a short while when I was younger. I can play aggressive midfield, middle, or defensive midfield, but my strength is gaining the ball back as a midfielder. If you are a versatile player, that is advantageous to you. I feel at ease in every one of them.
“Where I am doesn’t really matter while I’m on the pitch. Although I have done it before, not to this extent. It all comes down to working hard on the training pitch and paying attention to my trainers. Since Naisy has performed at the greatest level, I pay attention and work hard. I attempt to implement what I’ve learned on the pitch.”
Devlin has been told to participate more frequently in the last third of the pitch. “I’m not a No. 10 in this game.” It’s closer to a No. 8. The player clarified, “You are sandwiched between an attacking and a defensive midfielder. “However, I feel equally at ease covering Beni Baningime’s defensive midfield position.
“Naisy is only pointing out many small details to me. He will break it and say, “Cammy, you could maybe move outside here or move there,” while we are training. It’s about going back and taking notes so I can get better as an all-around midfield player.”
Graham Arnold, the coach of Australia, announced his team on Thursday for their consecutive World Cup qualifying matches against Lebanon. Devlin was left out, but Kye Rowles and Nathaniel Atkinson, his colleagues from Tynecastle, were. Having missed 2.5 months due to an ankle injury, the midfield player was aware that a call-up might not happen.
“I was devastated, but I wasn’t sure about this one either. After being away for a while, I returned and wasn’t starting every game,” he remarked. “Given the boys’ run, I didn’t think I would. Entering the Socceroos is probably not something you should feel comfortable with if you start to anticipate it.
“It’s the finest day of my life every time I receive that call-up. You’re representing your nation, and you are almost certainly returning home to spend time with your family. Regretfully, I have not been chosen. That’s the real world. After suffering an injury two and a half months ago, I have participated in a few games.
“Hope is always present in small doses. I was contacted by the physios, but I was not included in the final team. I have to give it my all from now until the end of the season in the hopes of getting into the camp for the summer. I’m thrilled that Rowlesy and Natty were selected.
“That’s the aim because there are World Cup qualifiers in June. You have your long-term objectives, but I just want to get back on the team and play as many games as I can after you recover from your injury. I think that if I perform to the best of my abilities, maybe Arnie may consider me for the starting lineup.”
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