Hearts caretaker manager Steve Frail has tipped teenager Gary Glen to continue his scoring exploits and become a Tynecastle hero.The 18-year-old scored on his full debut against St Mirren last weekend and followed it up with an excellent 79th-minute winner to defeat SPL visitors Inverness 1-0 on Saturday.

Glen, who was courted by Manchester United as a youngster, played a neat one-two with Ruben Palazuelos to burst through and net the decisive strike in a disappointing game.

Frail, who named a youthful squad including eight under-21 players, was delighted with the goal and believes Glen can go on to become a prolific scorer.

He said: "I think Gary showed more of his ability today, he's very clever and brings other players into the game.

"The longer the game went on you could see him getting better.

"I think he showed his class and composure with the finish as well. It was a well-worked goal with (Marius) Zaliukas and Palazuelos playing their part as well.

"I hope we don't get too carried away with Gary and we're jumping on it because we need something.

"But I'm sure if he continues to go the way he is going then I can see he'll be a big hero for Hearts.

"He's got an eye for goal. We've known for a while how good a player he is.

"It was just a case of trying to get him in the team and he's grabbed it."

Frail raised eyebrows and fans' frustrations when he replaced Calum Elliot with defensive-minded Zaliukas late on, but the end result perhaps vindicated the move.

The interim boss, who made 16-year-old forward Scott Robinson the club's youngest ever player in stoppage time, added: "Inverness are a physical side and Calum had won his fair share of headers, putting in a great shift with Gary Glen.

"I just thought if Calum is winning them, then maybe Marius can get a touch to get Gary in.

"I could hear the rumblings when I did put him on and I don't know if I'm vindicated. I'm just delighted he played a part in the goal."

Frail concluded: "We don't want to be in the bottom six but we are and we need to win the games.

"We've got a very young side and in large chunks of it played some really nice football.

"I didn't think the goal was going to come but we kept at it and overall I'm really pleased."

Inverness manager Craig Brewster admitted it had taken "a bit of magic" from Glen to secure the three points.

Brewster felt the visitors were comfortable until Glen struck and said: "It's always disappointing to lose, but I don't think there was that much in the game really.

"They had probably a couple of good opportunities and Michael Fraser did well.

"We worked Steve Banks a couple of times in the first half and I thought we played some nice football at times.

"Then in the second half we didn't really assert ourselves, but I didn't see us losing a goal the way we did.

"After Lee Wallace missed and the block on the line, I thought we were looking strong and solid and didn't look like conceding.

"Then the wee boy does a wee bit of magic and a good finish - that was the difference."

Brewster expects Romanian forward Marius Niculae to be back in the Highlands next year, despite reports the club cannot afford to retain their top wage earner.

He added: "He's got another year on his contract, simple as that."

Asked if he expects Niculae at the club next season, Brewster replied: "Absolutely."

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