BETTER THE DEVLIN YOU KNOW

Barry: Tynie stalwarts have outshone new boys.. it's blow to lose them for Celts crunch

- SCOTT MCDERMOTT

SOME sexy names at Hearts might be grabbing the limelight during a stunning title tilt.

But Barrie McKay reckons the players who have shone the most are their old Tynecastle stalwarts.

Derek McInnes' side have lit up the Premiership so far this term to get themselves six points clear at the top of the table.

Their new foreign imports, like Portuguese forward Claudio Braga and Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, have hogged most of the headlines with their goals and assists.

But McKay, who spent four years at Tynecastle, believes the cornerstone of their success so far has been the spine of their side.

He highlighted the contributions of midfield duo Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime, as well as skipper Lawrence Shankland - all of whom were at the club long before Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics.

McKay is also a big fan of centreback Craig Halkett and those four have been instrumental in their charge for the league flag.

That's why the winger admits the loss of Devlin, Baningime and potentially Shankland due to injury and suspension will be a huge blow to McInnes for Sunday's showdown with Celtic.

Devlin has been a midfield warrior for the Jambos this season but is now facing up to eight weeks out.

McKay, who played alongside him, admits Hearts have NO-ONE like the Aussie to replace him.

He said: "It's a massive loss for them.

The thing with Cammy is you know what you're getting from him.

"You can't change him, you can't stop him. He's everywhere on the pitch. Beni allows Cammy to free roam and go do what Cammy does.