MAYNARD-BREWER TOASTS ARRIVAL OF AUSSIE TEAM-MATE

ASH MAYNARD-BREWER believes Hearts have shopped shrewdly by snapping up his Australian Olympic team-mate Nathaniel Atkinson.

The 22-year-old right-back will join Cammy Devlin at Tynecastle next month after agreeing a three-and-a-halfyear deal.

Ross County keeper Maynard-Brewer is pals with Atkinson and Devlin from representing the Olyroos at the summer spectacular in Japan.

Devlin has already impressed in midfield and the goalie reckons the latest arrival is a fine fit for Robbie Neilson’s men.

Maynard-Brewer noted: ‘I’ve seen that Nathaniel will be going to Hearts. He’s quick, he can defend well and do the dirty stuff, too.

‘He will be suited to Scottish football, it’s very different to Australia because it’s more intense and competitive.

‘But I think Natty will adapt because he’s a good character. He will be a good signing for Hearts.

‘Cammy has been doing well for Hearts as well, so we can catch up after the game. He made his debut against me in my first game, too, he came on for the last half hour.

‘We’ve messaged each other here and there since I came to Scotland. He’s been doing well, getting a consistent run of matches.’

Devlin and MaynardBrewer’s Premiership bows came in a 2-2 draw in Dingwall in September.

County were luckless at the time and failed to win until late October in the league.

However, they’re hot approaching the shutdown as only Rangers and Celtic have beaten them in their last nine matches.

Their recent record would be even more impressive had Celtic then Livingston not denied them points with stoppage-time and lastminute goals before County won in Perth on Wednesday.

‘It was a great result for us against St Johnstone, we saw out the win which was pleasing because we hadn’t done that in the last two games,’ said Maynard-Brewer. ‘That gives us confidence and it’s good to have that at this time of the year.

‘We felt we should’ve had more points from the last few games but we’ve been against tough teams, so we know we’re doing the right things.

‘We want to finish this bit of the season strongly, get a rest and then be strong in the second half.’

Maynard-Brewer, 22, has made 14 appearances for Malky Mackay’s improvers since joining on loan from Charlton. All four previous loan spells were in the English non-league and far less effective.

‘I’ve really enjoyed it here, this is the first time I’ve had regular first-team football,’ he explained.

‘I found it tough in the first few games when we weren’t getting results and I wasn’t playing the best I could. But since we’ve been on this run and I have been doing well, it’s been really good.

‘Hopefully, it helps me with Australia because I’m playing at a good level and there are a few Australians in the league.

‘The Aussie goalie coaches Tony Franken and John Crawley keep in touch regularly, so they’re keeping an eye on what I’m doing.’