Hearts boss Jim Jefferies today urged Paul Mulrooney to build on his outstanding performance against Dundee United.

The 19-year-old was a late inclusion in the starting XI. at Tannadice yesterday after captain Michael Stewart limped out of the warm-up after his calf injury flared up.

Paul took full advantage of his unexpected opportunity in the middle of the park, earning glowing praise from both team-mates and manager.

JJ told Hearts News Today he was pleasantly surprised by the youngster's adaptability to the role and hopes to see him use the experience to great effect.

"I was under the impression that Paul was a wide player but he assured me he used to play in the centre of midfield before he came to Hearts," said Jim.

"It probably helped that he didn't have much time to think about things and he had to adapt quickly yesterday. But I couldn't have asked for any more from the lad - he competed well, put in good tackles and covered almost every blade of grass.

"I'm still learning about the players here and as every day goes by and every match goes by I get to know more about them. 'Spoony's' performance was a big bonus for me from the United game.

"He's still young and still developing but he's cetainly one for the future if he keeps working on his game."

The teenager pulled up with cramp towards the end of yesterday's 1-0 defeat and couldn't finish the match, JJ admitting he had feared the worst when the player signalled he needed attention after another crunching tackle.

"To be honest I thought he had done his hamstring and that was the last thing we needed after all our problems," he added. "Thankfully it was just cramp but you can't blame the guy as he was all over the park yesterday doing a fantastic job."

On Hearts.TV today, highlights from Tannadice plus all the exclusive post-match reaction.