SCHOOL'S OUT

Jambo goal hero can't celebrate derby goal as he had to finish homework assignment

- FRASER WILSON

HEARTS hitkid James Wilson couldn't properly enjoy his Edinburgh derby heroics on Sunday night because he had a school assignment to finish.

But the Jambos bright spark insists his late leveller at Easter Road was proof he was right to snub a move to an academy in the Premier League.

The 17-year-old was being tracked by Manchester United and Aston Villa last year but opted to stick with boyhood heroes Hearts. Now he's in line for another new deal after netting twice off the bench in Neil Critchley's first three games as boss, including the priceless 87th-minute equaliser in Leith.

And the teen sensation - who is combining his Tynecastle exploits with studies at Balerno High School - admits his dream moment was a million miles better than being lost in the youth system down south.

Wilson is out of contract next summer but Critchley wants to reward him with a new deal. And the Gorgie prodigy said: "Yeah, I hope to stay here. I hope to keep playing well. Whatever happens, happens. Ultimately the reason I stayed was because I wanted to play first-team football.

"It's a choice that not a lot of people make. I'm just hoping to prove there is the other option here where you stay, you fight for your place and you try to have an impact.