Juwon Oshaniwa has certainly made an impression, on and off the field, since his arrival at Tynecastle with him never backwards in coming forwards with a view or an opinion with him also letting his emotions get the better of him on the pitch with him already serving a suspension for a sending off.
That sending off saw him slapped on the wrists by Robbie Neilson for a ‘silly’ sending off.
What can be achieved this season? Well, Neilson has repeatedly said a top six finish is the only aim, which might be reassessed if Hearts continue to go the way they area, but Oshaniwa has been speaking to the Edinburgh News with him aiming a little higher!
If Hearts’ form, so far, can be maintained a Europa League place could be on at the end of the season with Hearts holding third, which could become second today with a win over Falkirk and Celtic beating Aberdeen?
This is something, a European placed finish, the Nigerian international feels is achievable yet he’s also aware the season still has a long way to run.
‘That is why every game in the Premiership is so important for us.
‘The league is still fresh but the target is at least we should end up in the top six. We keep working and fighting for this. We pick those points up that we were able to pick up early, so that at the end we are successful and are celebrated at the end of the season.
‘For a team just coming from the Championship and putting up such an effective performance in their first season, it’s going to be an achievement even if we secure a ticket for European competition. That is our target and our goal and we are not relenting until we achieve it. We’ve got a collection of good young players. The technical crew understand management. I think we can achieve our goal if we never relent or if we never get tired.’
It took a while for the full back to have his Hearts move rubberstamped but eventually the Jambos secured the necessary work permit and paper work for the former FC Ashdod man with him trying his hand in Scotland when deciding to leave Israel to work under Neilson.
With Neilson certainly making an impression on him already!
This week he’s been mentioned, alongside the like of Remi Garde, Gus Poyet, David Moyes, Nigel Pearson and Brendan Rodgers, as a possible option to take over at Aston Villa, which has already been played down by Neilson himself.
Aston Villa ‘Paper Talk’ Dismissed – Click Here.
Such links don’t surprise Oshaniwa though as, in his short time working with the Head Coach so far, he rates him as one of the best he’s worked with, adding.
‘I’m not surprised. Even before my arrival, I read a lot about Hearts since he took over. Even when I came here, I saw the kind of experience he’s got. He has a good relationship with players. He’s a young coach who is ambitious and he always wants you to give everything. Such passion will always attain a greater height. For me, this is a good start for him.
‘I was telling my colleagues who used to play in the national team that this is a coach I love so much. His philosophy, everything is perfect. I’m not surprised he is being linked with other clubs.’
Oshaniwa finished by admitting he does fear, with him previously open about how long he would remain at Tynecastle himself with him keen to continue his own career progression as a top footballer, he might only work with Neilson for a short time as he fears he’ll be lured away.
‘Football is all about movement and you can never tell what his journey is going to be. It all depends on him making the move or not. I expect this sort of stuff to come his way.
‘I read about the team and about the record he had with the team before they came back into the Premiership. He’s been a good manager. I came here to stay with him and work with him, with the sound philosophy he’s got. I have worked with other managers but he is talented and gifted. Every manager has their own philosophy but I saw something distinct in Robbie. He is so quick, he is so sweet, it is awesome to work with him.’
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