Hearts fans weren’t best pleased when their club let Makenzie Kirk go to St Johnstone in the summer.
The young striker made just one top team appearance at Tynecastle but his name had been known to supporters for years after he established a reputation as a goal scorer in the youth teams.
And Kirk hit an impressive 26 goals in 20 appearances, over just half a season, for Hearts B in the Lowland League last season.
That led to calls from supporters for him to be promoted but he was instead sent out on loan to Hamilton Accies, where he barely featured in League One.
The 20-year-old was highly rated by the Jambos but when the offer came in from McDiarmid Park, it was decided to let him go.
Makenzie Kirk having St Johnstone impact
Kirk scored the opener in St Johnstone’s draw with Aberdeen at the weekend to take him to two goals in his last three games, and four for the season.
The Northern Ireland under-21s striker was trusted to partner Benji Kimpioka in attack at Pittodrie with last season’s star man Adama Sidibeh on the bench.
And pundit Neil McCann is a big fan of the player Kirk is turning into for Saints.
He told BBC Sportsound: “He’s starting to develop really well and full marks to Simo Valakari because he picks him ahead of Sidibe, which you’d think ‘that’s a decent partnership in itself, him and Kimpioka up front.’
“But I think he’s (Kirk) starting to grow as a first-team player. Coming across from Hearts, he had to find his way into the team.
“I like that he wants to stick between the posts. Now, he’s got a father that used to score goals in Andy so clearly he’s got a bit of DNA in him.
“Look at his intention – ‘I want to get in there and score goals’. He finishes it brilliant.
“He’s got a different threat to him that I don’t think St Johnstone had last season apart from Kimpioka. He wants to go in behind.”
Were Hearts wrong to let Kirk go?
Supporters were exasperated to see someone who they believed to be a natural goalscorer allowed to leave the club.
But have they been proven right by his St Johnstone form?
While Kirk has been looking good for Saints in recent weeks, he has still only scored three league goals this season.
He may well turn out to be a top signing for the Perth men but it is far too early to suggest it has been a misstep from Hearts.
Besides, they have 17-year-old James Wilson who may have a higher ceiling and is now getting game time.