Portsmouth manager Avram Grant today praised Hearts for continuing to invest in youth, insisting it is the way forward in the game.

The former Chelsea boss was at Parkhead on Wednesday for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash between Celtic and Hearts as guest of the Tynecastle club.

With teenager Paul Mulrooney making his first start for the Jambos, Ryan Stevenson making his debut for the club and the likes of Lee Wallace, Eggert Jonsson and Gary Glen all featuring, it was a youthful team fielded by Jim Jefferies.

The Pompey chief was pleased to see the starlets perform creditably against the title-chasing Hoops and believes Vladimir has got it right with his strategy for promoting young players into the top team.

Speaking exclusively to Hearts News Today, Avram said: "I have known Vladimir Romanov for a long time, we have a good relationship and I was the guest of the club on Wednesday and enjoyed the game.

"Young players are the future as well as the present and their development is important. You need to give them the chance and be patient with them to develop their quality."

A host of other up-and-coming players have already made their mark this season, including Craig Thomson, Jason Thomson, Scott Robinson, Ryan Wallace, David Templeton and Gordon Smith.

"First you need a good eye to see them and if they are talented you need to give them an opportunity but there will be ups and downs so patience is important," added Avram.

"It is a good policy, though, and I think it will pay off for Vladimir.

"I know from a football point of view it will be good. Vladimir is very insistent about this as the strategy and I'm sure it's good."

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On Hearts.TV today, Jim Jefferies and Marian Kello meet the media ahead of tomorrow's Falkirk clash.