Tynecastle was greatly relieved by their victory over Motherwell on Sunday.
There are already enough Hearts dressing room inquests in Season 2024–2025 to last for multiple campaigns. Having seen all of them, Cammy Devlin admits to being sick of the violence. The final moments of Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Motherwell were tense as goalie Craig Gordon made two crucial saves to save an equaliser from happening. After losing to Hibs and drawing 2-2 at Ross County to finish 2024 in disastrous manner, everyone involved was just thankful for three points.
Devlin played 90 minutes against Motherwell and Hibs despite being suspended and missing the Dingwall trip. A happier changing room at full time was a relief to the friendly Australian. Because you see the boys every single day, it’s awful, to be honest. When you want to win games and they turn like your brothers, everyone is content and everything feels wonderful,” Devlin remarked.
“It’s not good enough when things don’t go our way and we give up two goals in two minutes, like Ross County.” You have expectations of yourself, and there are expectations placed on you. If you win 2-0 or 2-1 in that game, and then we come to Tynecastle and win again, you begin to feel good and gain confidence. Some of our younger players have a tremendous amount of confidence that allows them to do things that you might not do if you were less confident.
However, you do become tired of it. The players and the coach would have gone crazy if we had drawn that Motherwell match. You don’t want to do it, so it’s awful. Anger is the last thing you want. I dislike being angry. Craig Gordon takes charge and performs his duties as usual. We are aware that we need to improve in both areas. When we have complete control of the game, we cannot afford to give away opportunities like that.
We know we need to score a few more goals in the first half and possibly the first 20 to 30 minutes of the second half, after which the game will be much simpler. We know we must accomplish it, but at least we have a victory to start the new year.
Devlin acknowledged that he could only speculate about what would occur in Dingwall on a full-time basis. He said, “I think I can speak on behalf of the boys, but I wasn’t there.” We would have gone crazy if we had admitted defeat on Sunday. However, I believe that at Ross County, there would have just been bewilderment, such as “What the hell just happened?” That must have been the sensation as you were probably thinking, “What just happened?” while you watched.
The gaffer clearly spoke to us and reiterated that it’s not acceptable, so I’m sure there were words exchanged. You have games, games, and more games during this Christmas season. When we return to work on Monday, you discuss it and address it. But then it’s: “All right, we have Motherwell and New Year in two or three days.”
To be honest, you’re still thinking, ‘I can’t believe it,’ when you walk into the Motherwell game, which makes it awful. How did that occur? There are times when you consider it. The thought of that child [Jordan White] tapping the ball in [for the equaliser] kept me awake that night. I just couldn’t believe that, but you simply need to get up and turn it around. We seemed to have done that on Sunday.
Devlin’s professional aspirations did not always include the demands of football. Growing up in Australia, his neighbour was the sole one who persuaded him to switch from rugby to football. That boyhood buddy was at Tynecastle on Sunday with some of his other friends as part of a football tour to the UK.
Some of my friends were there. The midfielder clarified, “My neighbour is growing up over here with his partner and their friends.” They arrived at the game, and one of my good friends from my childhood, as well as one of his friends, with whom I am also good friends, are travelling around the United Kingdom in a van to watch football matches. So they approached me to see me perform.
It’s great to have folks you grew up with in the stands because my family isn’t here. It was quite great to see them, and I gave them a big hug. We’re hoping for another victory [against Dundee United] if they can make it on Sunday.
“The other night, my two friends who are travelling in the van were at Sunderland vs. Sheffield United. They then descended to observe us. They were on their way up to watch Liverpool play Manchester United. They have been everywhere. It’s really awesome. Growing up, Jordy, my neighbour, was an avid football enthusiast. He has been travelling with his partner during their trip. It’s really great that they took the time to come see me perform.
In actuality, he [Jordy] is the reason I became interested in football. Growing up, I was a rugby man. You can certainly tell by my playing style that my dad and my family enjoy rugby,” Devlin said. However, Jordy, my neighbour, and his father, Rhys, clearly converted me to football. He came to visit me from where I was when I wasn’t even playing, and he is a major reason I’m here. So, yes, it’s really awesome.
