Jamie Walker hopes his set-pieces can help Hearts bypass Birkirkara
The Jambos are in Europa League Qualifying action tomorrow.
Jamie Walker has vowed to further strengthen his set-piece repertoire as he looks to keep Hearts' Europa League campaign on track.
Hearts host Birkirkara on Thursday following a goalless draw in Malta and Walker's new-found dead-ball expertise could prove crucial against a side expected to defend deep.
Five of the six goals Hearts scored in the opening round against Infonet came from Walker set-pieces, including every strike in a 4-2 away win. A Prince Buaben penalty set Robbie Neilson's men on their way at Tynecastle.
Walker said: Since we came back from pre-season, I have been working on it quite a lot.
The day before the game the boys have been training and I have just been hitting set-pieces so I was delighted it came off in that game.
We haven't scored a goal from open play yet in the Europa League, so it just shows you how much set-pieces mean in the game. So you need to get the delivery right and good movement in the area.
I have not really been known for hitting corners and free-kicks but the gaffer puts me on them now so I will keep practising and hopefully get better.
I'm always listening to what the gaffer has got to say and that's one part of my game I can improve on. I will keep practising and hopefully get better over the season.''
Walker is looking to build on his promising start to the campaign after enduring frustration with a knee injury last term.
The wide midfielder struggled to shake off the problem at the start of the campaign before a three-month lay-off following surgery, but still managed seven goals.
Last season was a bit up and down,'' he said.I was injured for quite a bit and then came back and played quite well and missed the last few games of the season injured.
I have been working hard on strengthening my knee during close-season and pre-season so hopefully it will stay pain-free and I can have a good year.
I'm 23 now and have played a lot of games and feel I am getting more experienced, so hopefully I can be a big part of the plans this season.,
It's not going to get any easier with Rangers coming up but we have a good squad and we are a confident bunch.''