Recently, JJ Williams was playing his football in the USL Championship for Rhode Island FC, now he could be realising a dream by playing Conference League games around Europe courtesy of Hearts’ sensational midweek win over Rapid Vienna.
The 28-year-old is excited by the prospect and keen to show Hearts fans what he is all about.
That opportunity could come against St Johnstone at Tynecastle on Saturday (3pm) as the 6ft 4in striker has been playing regularly in North America.
He has eyed a move to Europe for some time and watched the midweek win in his hotel room. He admitted he felt like a kid again and was jumping on the bed. He praised the performance and the shifts that the guys put in.
He noted the performance of Calvin Miller who has “still running” after 120 minutes and then, his words, “smashed” in the first penalty. He added: “I was ready to run through a wall for those guys.”
JJ desperately wants to help his team mates and he has visited Tynecastle. Even the empty stadium gave him “goose bumps”.
New Mexico-born JJ, who is bringing his wife and children to Scotland, has been assigned the No 9 shirt and he said: “I am here now and that is all that matters. I want to be the best version of myself and I have to step-up to the plate.”
He has watched some tapes of play here and the physical side of Scottish football is not a concern and said: “I will give this 100 per cent. I have to get used to playing with the guys and, hopefully, the chemistry will be there.”
MEDIA FOCUS: JJ Williams meets Scotand’s media at The Oriam. Picture Nigel Duncan
