Hearts coach Austin MacPhee believes that recent striking arrival Conor Washington can score 20 goals for the Tynecastle side this season.
Should Washington achieve this feat, he would be the first Hearts player to do so since the legendary John Robertson.
“We want to get the Conor Washington back who is a bit more raw, off-the-cuff, tenacious, goalscoring” he said, as reported by the Evening News.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
“He will give John Roberson’s record a good crack”
“I’ve known him for almost five years now and I feel very comfortable that he will give John Robertson’s record a good crack.”
Should Washington manage to achieve the feat, it could turn out to be a very promising season for Hearts.
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It might sound like putting a bit of pressure on the player. However, MacPhee must have confidence in Washington’s ability as a player.
Chance of record could depend on fitness
If Washington is able to keep fit for the season, then perhaps he could achieve the target MacPhee has in mind.
(Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
The last player to come close to scoring 20 goals in a season for Hearts was Kyle Lafferty, who scored 19 goals in 2017-18.
Washington certainly played well when he came on a substitute for Hearts in the recent 3-2 loss to Aberdeen. He came close to finding the back of the net during a period which saw the Jambos dominate the game.
Should he play from the start in Hearts’ upcoming league game against Ross County, you wouldn’t bet against him finding the back of the net.