Matthew Gillies, the 19-year-old Hearts debutant, is waiting to discover whether he will feature for Hearts or Stenhousemuir this weekend. The versatile midfielder made his first appearance for the injury-hit Jambos as a substitute in the Conference League defeat away to Thun.
Gillies is currently on a cooperation loan with Stenhousemuir, but manager Wouter Vrancken has yet to decide whether to keep him involved with the first team for the Falkirk game or send him back to the Warriors for their match against Morton.
Ready for Whatever Comes
Gillies insisted: "I'll do whatever I'm told. Like I say, I'm ready for whatever."
"Whatever it may be, whether I'm going back to Stenhousemuir or not, if the manager needs me, I'm ready to go whenever it is."
The academy graduate admitted it was a dream, as a boyhood Jambo, to make his debut in Switzerland, albeit soured by the result. He said: "Yes, that was good. Delighted to make my debut, but disappointed not to get the win."
"That's what we wanted and needed. But, yeah, delighted on a personal note to make my debut."
A Week of Unexpected Change
The week turned out very differently than Gillies had expected. He had been preparing to play for Stenhousemuir against Berwick Rangers in the Challenge Cup but ended up on European duty instead.
"I was preparing to play with Stenhousemuir during the week," he admitted. "If anything changed, I was ready to do that, whatever it may be. But, yeah, I was planning to play for Stenhousemuir on Tuesday."
Gillies was on the bench for the Europa League qualifier against Benfica and got his first taste of group-stage football with Hearts at the second attempt, having missed the Trabzonspor trip due to an illness that saw him lose five kilograms.
Learning Under Marvin Bartley
He confirmed: "I was ill. I picked up a virus a few days before, which wasn't great because I was desperate to come on that trip as well."
It is a significant season for Gillies, whose contract expires this summer. He is focused on impressing whether in the maroon of Hearts or with Stenhousemuir.
He is now learning his trade under former Hibs star Marvin Bartley at Stenhousemuir. "I've loved it," he added. "Marvin's been really, really good with me and Gus (Steven). They've been putting their trust in me, much like the gaffer here."
Gillies is determined to keep developing and playing at the highest level possible, with his immediate future depending on Vrancken's decision for the weekend.
