Mullen crosses city divide

HI BERNIAN manager Pat Fenlon believes young Fraser Mullen has t he mental strength to handle crossing the Edinburgh divide after j oining the Easter Road team.

The gifted full- back, 19, was released by Hearts in May despite performing well in his nine appearances for the men in maroon.

Only a broken f oot – suffered in the Edinburgh derby of March 10 – kept him from featuring in the League Cup final against St Mirren.

Now the Glasgow- born Mullen has joined Hearts’ fiercest rivals in search of another crack SPL title.

He becomes the third former Hearts employee to join Hibs in under two years, following in the footsteps of Billy Brown, previously assistant at both clubs, and Alan Maybury.

Fenlon is adamant the teenager can handle any hostility which is directed at him, particularly upon his return to Tynecastle on August 10.

The Irishman said: “He is not the type of character who is going to be weighed down with that. He is a strong boy and I don’t doubt he will deal with any stick which comes his way.

“He is young, enthusiastic

at the and ambitious. Hopefully he comes in and does well.”

Speaking af t e r Hibs kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Dumbarton, Fenlon added: “Fraser adds to a squad which already has s ome excellent young players.

“Right-back was the one area where we do not have a lot of talented young ones coming through, although there are a couple who are a bit lower down that are not quite ready.”

Taking to Twitter, an enthused Mullen s aid: “Delighted to have signed a deal at Hibs. Hard work starts now and can’t wait to get started.”