Aberdeen star Sivert Heltne Nilsen has provided an in-depth analysis of one Hearts January arrival having played with him in the past.
Nilsen joined Aberdeen in the summer as he reunited with manager Jimmy Thelin having worked under him at Swedish club Elfsborg for a couple of years.
The combative midfielder has experienced a mixed first season in Scotland so far as Aberdeen went from Premiership title challengers to going on a mammoth 14-game winless run in the league.
Nilsen was heralded as one of the best Premiership summer signings before being branded a ‘big concern’ in Aberdeen’s midfield by outspoken pundit Michael Stewart.
However, he’s played a part in Aberdeen winning their last two games against Dunfermline Athletic and Dundee as Thelin’s men look to find a consistent run of form.
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Sivert Heltne Nilsen on Hearts newbie Sander Kartum
Nilsen previously played for Norwegian side SK Brann on two separate occasions with both spells lasting three years.
There, new Hearts signing Sander Kartum was his teammate for one of those seasons and helpfully, Nilsen has given Jambos fans some more information on what to expect from Kartum in the long-term.
Nilsen played behind Kartum in SK Brann’s midfield and listed four key traits of 29-year-old who already has two Hearts appearances under his belt.
“I spoke to Sander when I saw the news about him joining Hearts”, explained Nilsen as quoted in The Press & Journal.
“We played together at Brann, I was number six and he was number eight, and he is a very good player, his left foot is very dangerous.
“I will be telling the guys here that before we play Hearts next time. We can’t let him get the ball on that side.
“He is very good driving with the ball during counter-attacks, he is quick. I think he will adapt well to Scottish football, he has a lot of fighting spirit.
“He played for Brann against St Mirren in Europe earlier in the season so he will have known a little bit about what to expect.
“I think he is a very good signing for Hearts, he will suit the game here. When games open up and there are counter-attacks, that plays to his strengths.”
Kartum played against St Mirren for SK Brann
Kartum’s Hearts debut came against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup as the men from Gorgie prevailed in a penalty shootout at the SMiSA Stadium.
He played 57 minutes and it was rather fitting given his previous two games against Scottish opposition came versus St Mirren in the Europa Conference League.
SK Brann and St Mirren met in the competition’s third qualifying round in August with Kartum’s former side winning 4-2 on aggregate.
But his European journey would end in the next round as SK Brann fell at the hands of Astana in the play-off round.