SUPERKID ADAM IS NOT JUST A BABY FACE

ADAM HAMILL admits he was determined to prove Stephen Kenny wrong after the Dunfermline boss told him he didn't look like a player who could salvage their season.

The manager joked that Hamill appeared more like someone's little brother when he took him into the dressing room after signing the 18-year-old on loan from Liverpool.

Kenny's unorthodox pep talk did the trick as Hamill produced a virtuoso performance on his full Dunfermline debut.

The Scouser's display helped put Scottish Cup holders Hearts to the sword as the Pars marched into the quarter-finals.

Kenny said:"When I picked him up from the airport I couldn't believe how young he looked.It was a shock when I brought him into the dressing room with people thinking this kid was going to save their season.

"He was like someone's younger brother but thankfully he strips out differently on the pitch."

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Hamill didn't take Kenny's comments to heart but was still desperate to prove he was more than a cocky kid with a few stepovers.

And he did just that, destroying full-back Christos Karipidis and substitute John Armstrong with a box of tricks of which Cristiano Ronaldo would have been proud.

The youngster said:"The boss told me that before the game which was a great confidence booster.I thought I'd show him what I was made of.

"My trickery and creativity are a big part of my game and hopefully there is a lot more to come."

Hamill set up Scott Wilson's injury-time winner with a perfect cross and he's hopeful the Pars' Cup form can transfer to their SPL fight for survival.

He said:"It's great to get into the next round.Hopefully this will be a stepping stone for the rest of the season as I believe we can stay up.

Ienjoyed my first taste of the Scottish Cup.It was a boost when I saw the full-back go off but then I saw how big the substitute was.

"I just thought I would hit the ball in front of him and hope he didn't catch me."

Hamill linked up with the England Under-19 squad last night but an ankle injury could prevent him playing in tomorrow's friendly against Poland in Bournemouth.

He added:"I've got a slight knock so I will go down and see the England physio.

"If I can't play it's not the end of the world as the main game is against Aberdeen next week."

Taken from the Daily Record