SPORT 21
Nigel Duncan
By NIGEL DUNCANFRANKIE KENT believes his ten years in the
Arsenal Academy have been a major influence on
his football career to date and moving north to
Hearts opens another chapter for the 6ft-plus
defender who is determined to make his mark for
the Men in Maroon.
He is excited at the challenge of establishing
himself at the heart of the Jambos’ defence
alongside the Aussie World Cup star Kye Rowles.They were blooded as a pair in the pre-season
friendly against Leeds United and the 27-year-old
newcomer enjoyed the experience, despite Hearts
losing 1-0. He admitted it was a tough afternoon
but does not think he will face that quality of
opposition on a regular basis north of the Border.
Kent was signed from Peterborough United,
where he made 164 appearances.
The prospect of European football was also a
driver and the affable player revealed: "This is a
new start, a new challenge, and a differentchapter, and when the opportunity came up and
it was something I wanted to jump on as I've
been in the same place for the last 19 years of my
football career."
He admittted he had never been to Scotland
before: "It could be a bit of an eye opener and a
few of the boys have said that, but I am excited
and happy to be here. Coming to Hearts is not so
much a stepping stone, it is more of a new
chapter and a new start. This is big team and this
is something I have wanted to do and, thankfully,I have been given this opportunity. I've loved it so
far and I feel like I have settled in pretty quickly."
So, how does he think he will fare in the cinch
Premiership? Time will tell, of course, but he said:
"I expect it to be a tough league, a physical league
but, hopefully with the experience I have from
playing down south, I will show what I can do.
"European football was a huge reason for
coming here. You don't get that in League One
and League Two in England and the opportunity
to do that is great. It is something I am really
excited about.”
Kent believes he thrives on competition and he
said: "Hopefully, it (the move) goes well and I can
perform and the team can do well enough to
make the fans happy. Overall, I am looking
forward to showcasing myself. Yes, there is
competition for places here, but I have not been
shy of competition anywhere I have been and I
believe I thrive on it. I like being challenged. This
is a big club, it is a big stadium and there were
15,000 or 16,000 in here for the Leeds game. For
me, having so many people here was a first for
me in an opening season game."
Kent is undoubtedly a communicator on the
pitch. Even on his debut, he was making his
feelings known to team-mates and he said: "I
know that it is worth its weight in gold being able
to communicate, but I will take it when I need to
take it and I will give it when I feel I need to."
When he communicates it is in a strong,
Southern English accent and he admitted: "There
is banter in the dressing-room and my accent is
causing a bit of a laugh."
Hearts hope that Kent continues his learning
curve in a maroon jersey and untimately carve a
niche for himself in the long Tynecastle history.Writing a brand
new chapter
with Jambos
Big defender Frankie Kent relishes
his new challenge at Hearts