Egg Set To Break Out Of His Shell

Nov 4 2007 By Euan Mclean

HEARTS kid Eggert Jonsson reckons Hibs shouldn't hog the plaudits for bringing through bright young talent.

The 19-year-old Icelandic prodigy is the latest youth player to break into the Jambos first team, following in the footsteps of Andrew Driver, Calum Elliot, Lee Wallace and Christophe Berra.

So while Hearts are better known for having a squad packed with Lithuanians, Eggert reckons it's time the club was praised, in the same way their city rivals are, for producing young stars.

Jonsson said: "I don't know why the credit goes elsewhere but we are definitely due some as well.

"Hearts are a club that likes to bring on the young players. We already have many in the first team and there are plenty more coming through the academy."

Romanian kid Dumitru Copil, who snubbed Celtic to join the Jambos, and Branimar Kostadinov are among the next crop strongly fancied to make the step-up.

And it is this international flavour at the academy that has helped Jonsson (below) settle in.

The midfield ace, who should feature against Hibs today, said: "It helps a lot to have so many nationalities aroundme as football can vary widely in every country.

"It makes it easier to learn different styles when you mix with a variety of players every day."