Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson watched Abiola Dauda grab the headlines at Ross County but insists teenage defenders Jordan McGhee and John Souttar deserve a special mention.
Dauda came off the bench to notched a late brace in Dingwall on Wednesday but the foundations for that 3-0 victory were laid at the back, where 19-year-old’s McGhee and Souttar, who was making his debut, formed a central defensive partnership.
Injury to captain Alim Ozturk and suspensions to Blazej Augustyn and Igor Rossi left Neilson with no option but to play the youngsters.
Neilson said: “They’re two teenagers and the two of them did really well.
“They were outstanding, we knew it was going to be tough for them playing against David Goodwillie – a Scottish international – and Liam Boyce – a Northern Ireland internationalist – but I thought the two of them played really, those two have big futures at Hearts.”
Another 19-year-old, Liam Smith, replaced McGhee in the 83rd minute but Neilson is hoping that the injury that forced the defender off is not serious.
Neilson added: “I think he’ll be okay, he got a spasm in his back.
“I don’t know if it came from a twist or a knock. We’ll get it looked at but I don’t think it will be too big a problem.”
