I LIVED NEXT DOOR TO UTD STUPERSTAR

Neilson didn't need to look far for football motivation when Armstrong was neighbour

- FRASER WILSON

LEWIS NEILSON grew up idolising the "normal guy" living next door who was on a path to greatness at Dundee United.

Heading to Tannadice to watch Stuart Armstrong turn on the style for his boyhood heroes was cool.

Following in his footsteps through the United academy and into the first team was even better.

But when Neilson failed to become a permanent fixture in the Tangerines side he knew the time to up sticks was right.

Like Armstrong, he chose to detach himself from the place he had called home for the best part of a decade to further his career.

His switch to Hearts in 2022 wasn't without a hitch as wrangling over compensation ended in a tribunal that ruled in the Jambos' favour without a penny being handed over.

But three years on Neilson has no doubts it was the right move. Especially now he's finally getting a run in the Tynecastle top team.

The 21-year-old defender has made seven appearances - including starting the last three games - for Neil Critchley's side after being called back from a loan spell at St Johnstone in January.

And as he prepares to face his old side this afternoon Neilson revealed how Scotland ace Armstrong, now with Sheffield Wednesday after spells at Celtic, down south with Southampton then Vancouver, is still setting a standard he would love to follow.