Levein expects Craig to flourish at Tynecastle
Craig Levein has backed Craig Wighton to come good for Hearts – once the striker has experience around him to guide him through matches.
The 21-year-old was prised away from Dundee in August, but has failed to make much of an impact so far and has found firstteam opportunities limited since moving to Tynecastle.
But Levein insists Wighton has “great talent” and, in time, will justify Hearts paying money to land him on a three-year deal.
With the guile and know-how of Steven Naismith due back for the Jambos in the coming days and Uche Ikpeazu expected to return in the New Year, when Czech striker David Vanecek will also join, Levein expects Wighton’s game to flourish in future.
He said: “In an ideal world, Craig would have come into a team when we had all our best players in the team.
“Then I could bring these younger lads in, one by one, and let them taste first-team football, with a solid foundation around about them.
“But I’ve not been able to do that with him.
“Craig is getting there, he was a wee bit behind. “He’s played some matches and not done particularly well.
“But I think there’s a player there, I really do. I think he’s got great talent.
“And I think once we can use him when he has people round about him that can help that will be better for him.”
Meanwhile, Hearts last night said they will issue indefinite bans to two supporters allegedly caught on camera directing racist abuse at unused Motherwell substitute Christian Mbulu.
News of the vile abuse emerged after a Charles Dunne own goal gave the hosts their first victory in eight matches.
A Hearts statement read: “The club is aware of an incident of alleged racism during the second half of today’s match against Motherwell is cooperating fully with Police Scotland on the matter.
“Heart of Midlothian abhors racism and all forms of abuse, and the individuals in question will receive indefinite bans from Tynecastle Park.”
One-time Scotland-b winger Michael Mcindoe has not accepted an offer to join League 2 side Stirling Albion, following a three-game trial period. However, Forthbank boss Kevin Rutkiewicz has not given up hope of changing the 38-year-old’s mind.
A deal has been offered with Rutkiewicz saying: “I am still keen to bring Michael here and it could still happen.
“He has a couple of other options to explore, so it is a case of waiting to see what happens.”
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