Rix lays down the gauntlet to next generation

HEARTS have always been a club with a reputation for grooming some of the country's best youngsters and their emphatic victory over derby rivals Hibs in the SFA Youth Cup underlined the fact that the conveyor belt shows no signs of slowing down.

Stevie Frail's side booked their place in the quarter-final of the tournament with a resounding 5-1 triumph at Tynecastle on Sunday.

The result was never in doubt with the home side surging into a 3-0 lead by half-time.

Boss Graham Rix was delighted with the efforts of the youngsters and has urged the players to use the stunning victory as a platform to the senior set-up.

"I was very pleased for Steven Frail. It was a great victory for the lads. Beating your derby rivals is always good but to do so with such a convincing victory was a terrific achievement. We have some very decent young kids at the club and it is up to them to keep pushing themselves now.

"I am a great believer that if you are good enough, it doesn't matter how old you are. If they produce the goods they'll get a chance."

The promising Jamie Mole, pictured right, grabbed a double against the Hibees, although he missed the chance of hat-trick glory from the penalty spot.

The Geordie was handed his first-team debut by former boss George Burley in the CIS Cup defeat from Livingston at Almondvale in September and is one of the starlets Rix is keen to see continue his progress.

Another young gun to catch the head coach's eye is Calum Elliot, a striker who first came to prominence during Craig Levein's time in the Gorgie hot seat.

Then 17, he made his first competitive appearance in maroon when he came off the bench in the home win over Inverness Caley Thistle in September 2004.

He made his first start for the club earlier this season in the 4-0 demolition of Hibs in August and has gone on to make the most of his opportunities.

Regularly involved as a squad member under Burley, Elliot has emerged as a striker of real potential following the arrival of Rix.

He replaced former Czech Republic Under-21 front man Michal Pospisil for the second half of Rix's debut match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last month and went on to start the matches against Motherwell, Livingston and Inverness.

With both Roman Bednar and Edgar Jankauskas having won their fitness battles for Saturday's trip to Ibrox, the youngster had to settle for a place on the bench against Rangers although replaced the Lithuanian internationalist after 64 minutes of his side's 1-0 defeat.

With the Jambos failing to fire on all cylinders it has been a difficult introduction to life in the SPL for Elliot. He has managed to produce a number of encouraging performances and Rix has stressed he regards the front man as the ideal role model for some of his younger team-mates.

"Just look at Calum Elliot. He is a perfect example of what can be achieved," said Rix.

"It's up to players to grasp the opportunity when it comes along and that's what he has done.

"The kid has been brilliant since getting his chance and that is the kind of response I'm looking for from everyone."

Elliot can't fail to learn from training and playing alongside the likes of Champions League winner Jankauskas although Rix is delighted that all the senior pros have taken time to offer words of advice and encouragement. And he knows the player's confidence will take a huge leap once he breaks his scoring duck for the Gorgie side.

"With big Edgar having been struggling a little bit recently and Michal not really on fire, he got a chance and made the most of it," said the head coach.

"He has been fantastic but needs a goal, like all strikers do. He's a good lad who keeps his feet on the ground.

"We are quite fortunate that we have good senior pros here and they set a good example for a kid like Calum coming into the squad.

"He gets nothing but pats on the back in training and encouragement during matches and it's good for a youngster like him to be in that sort of atmosphere."

Should Elliot fulfil the promise he has shown this season, then Rix has no doubt he will have a successful career. He said: "If Calum keeps playing the way he has been, he'll have a big future in the game.

"He has done really well but still has a lot to learn and I'm sure he'd be the first to admit that."

Lee Wallace has also demonstrated his qualities both as a midfielder and full-back since breaking into the team last season and Christophe Berra is another who has been impressing on the fringes.

Although finding it difficult to force his way into a defence boasting Scotland internationalists Andy Webster and Steven Pressley, the 20-year-old saw some fine displays for the reserves rewarded with a call-up into the Scotland Future team for the recent clash with Poland at Rugby Park. He has ambitions of following in the footsteps of his more senior colleagues into the full international arena, where team-mate Craig Gordon has already made a very favourable impression.

The beanpole keeper has not looked back since forcing his way into the Jambos first team and is now established as Walter Smith's first-choice keeper. It's a dream come true for the life-long Hearts fan and Rix reckons supporters have a great connection with someone such as the 22-year-old, who has risen to the top having been with the club since a lad.

"It's great for the supporters to see the youngsters coming through the ranks and establishing themselves," said the former England internationalist. "They tend to have a great affinity with guys who do that and Craig Gordon is an ideal example.

"He has learned his trade from a young age and has not looked back since getting his opportunity in the first team.

"He is now an established international goalkeeper and all credit to him."

Taken from the Scotsman