TONY WATT has revealed that he hopes to reform his reputation in Scotland while at Hearts.
The striker has signed for the Jambos on a one-year loan from Charlton Athletic and the capital club become the eighth club of his career despite his tender age of 22.
Watt shot to fame with a winning goal against Barcelona while a teenager at Celtic, but he has also hit the headlines for bust-ups with managers including Neil Lennon.
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He admits that his work ethic could have been better at previous clubs, but believes that a return to his home country could aid a return to form.
"Maybe I was a bad trainer when I was younger and maybe I wasn't as professional as I'd liked to have been," he told Press Association Sport.
"It is hard to shake these reputations off but I am doing my best to get rid of it.
"I want to score goals and I want to work hard, that is how I will change that reputation.
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"I came back up the road to be closer to my family. They are my support and my life. They mean the most to me and are helping me through everything.
"It annoys me a little that people have an opinion about me but don't really know me. But I don't listen to people on the outside. I just focus on what my family say to me.
"All this negativity in the Press obviously frustrates you as most of it is lies.
"But things are clearing up now and I'm happy about that. I'm more mature now but I don't think I'm a different person.
"A lot of times during my career people have asked my agent what my attitude is like because they have heard things through the grapevine. That's part of life.
"But if my ability shows what I'm really made of here then everything that has gone before won't matter any more.
"I want to show the world what I can do here at Hearts. Maybe I've got a bit of a reputation here in Scotland but I know I will show people what I'm capable of.
"(Being back in Scotland) will make a big difference. Every day I'll be going home to the people who care most about me, to see my nephews running about and my girlfriend rather than sitting bored on my own for 12 hours a day. It will help keep me grounded.
"It is difficult being away. My family came down south sometimes but not all the time. Having that support network round about you is the most important thing.
"I don't want to play football when I'm unhappy - it doesn't do anything for me. I want to play football happy and having my family beside me means more than anything else."
Hearts open their Premiership campaign against Celtic next weekend, and Watt admits it would be unusual to make his debut against his former club.
"It will be strange playing against Celtic," he said.
"But it doesn't faze me or scare me. I want to do my best for Hearts.
"Hopefully I can do well and eventually get back into the Scotland squad. I want to do my best and play football happy again.
"I've had a bit of a stop-start, turbulent career. Now I've got the chance to stay put for a while and start kicking on."
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