Robbie Neilson is in no doubt Lewis Neilson will become a top player for Hearts as he drew comparisons with John Souttar.
The Rangers and Scotland international followed a similar path to the 19-year-old in swapping Dundee United for Tynecastle as a teenager. Neilson put in a man-of-the-match display at centre-back in his first competitive start for the club in the victory over St Johnstone at the weekend.
It was a commanding performance from the Jambos teenager, with Neilson saying he just needs time to find his feet at the club. He believes the raw talent still has many defensive attributes to his game that need to improve as he praised his use of the ball and stepping out of defence and putting Hearts on the front foot. The Gorgie side made it ten points from five games after coming out on top in the five-goal thriller in the capital.
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Liam Boyce and Kye Rowles were lost to injuries during the clash in sour notes for the capital club, but Neilson's performance will come as a plus and his boss is in no doubt about just how good he can become.
He said: “It's what I expected from him. I had him at Dundee United as a kid. We had him training with the first team and he was round about the first-team squad. We brought him here and he just needs a wee bit of time.
“A wee bit like John Souttar, when I brought him here. John needed a few months just to get used to the intensity, the club and the way we want to play. You can see he is starting to develop.
“I still think there are a lot of attributes to his game that need to be better. He's great on the ball and stepping forward but his defensive attributes need to improve. When they do he will be a top player for us.”
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