FORMER Hearts and Leicester City midfielder Joe Hamill is "really enjoying" his new role with Haddington Athletic.

Hamill, who made more than 100 appearances for Livingston a decade ago, joined the Hi Hi last month as part of the coaching staff.

The experienced midfielder told Courier Sport how his connections with David McGlynn, who is working alongside boss Brian Johnstone, led him to the role.

He said: "I've known Davie for quite a while and worked under him before [at Linlithgow Rose] and he said he'd get in touch when he got a club.

"Obviously he's involved at Haddington now and he invited me down – I've been there two weeks or so now and I'm really enjoying it."

Hamill, who also played for Raith Rovers between 2011-13 admits his main focus is on developing as a coach during his time with the Hi Hi, but pulled his boots on in the win over Dalkeith Thistle on Saturday.

He added: "I'll play when boys are away or injured and they really need me .

"I hung the boots up a while ago to be honest.

"I've been training and I joined in at training but there's nothing for your fitness like playing games and that's what I'm really short of."

The 33-year-old said he was surprised at the quality on show when he first took part in a Millfield training session.

"I said to Brian [Johnstone] and Davie [McGlynn] how good the level was – to be honest I've not touched a ball for ages so I was struggling to get involved at the start."

He also praised the side, despite the Hi Hi currently sitting ninth in the East Premier League.

"We played Kennoway Star Hearts – that was my first game– and I thought we played some tidy stuff.

"They went to 3-0 but we managed to get it back to 3-3 and it was no more than we deserved.

"If I'm honest, I was struggling to see why they are top of the league."

Hamill hopes conversations this week with the Hi Hi hierarchy will confirm how long he'll be involved, but he enjoyed more of a hands-on role at the weekend.

He added: "I got to do my bit before the game, and have more of a say in who was playing, which was good.

"I'll have a chat with the guys tonight (Thursday) and hopefully we'll know more about how long I'll be involved after that.

"I'm enjoying it so far, and I'd like to stay involved."