David Templeton in same class as Allan Johnston

David Templeton might prefer simply to be his own man but he seems fated to be compared with others, to the extent of even having been named after Rangers winger David Cooper.

Currently the talk of the town, Templeton, whose middle name is 'Cooper', must expect to receive a lot of attention as he continues to be identified as spearheading Hearts' remarkable run of six consecutive victories.

So it was yesterday, when Billy Brown, the Hearts assistant manager, was the latest to rave about Templeton, although he did temper these thoughts with an additional note of caution. According to Brown, Templeton, who was again the inspiration in Hearts' win at Motherwell on Tuesday, should be assessed on what he has done come the end of the season.

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However, his form at present has already provoked inevitable comparisons with his own father Henry, who starred as a tricky winger for Ayr United among others, and also Neil McCann, the former Dundee, Hearts and Rangers favourite.

Brown added one more yesterday, remarking that Templeton is the most naturally talented player with whom both he and Jim Jefferies have worked since Allan Johnston, another striker/winger. Johnston broke through at Tynecastle, although some might contend that he never made as much of himself as he might have done. A hat-trick for Hearts at Rangers did much to seal his later move to Ibrox, where he was hampered by injury, loss of form and also manager Dick Advocaat's contrary ways.

Following spells in England Johnston, who won 18 caps with Scotland, returned north of the border to reinvent himself as a midfielder with Kilmarnock, under the guidance of Jefferies and Brown. The pair were grateful to be able to work with Johnston again, having been frustrated when the player left Tynecastle on freedom of contract for a brief stay at Rennes.

"Where he (Templeton] stands in terms of ability is that's he's as good as any we have had, and we have had some good players," said Brown. "Whether he turns out to be as good as players in the past who have had that ability we will have to wait and see. He has not played a lot of first-team games. But at the moment he looks a fair prospect.

"The last one we had with his kind of ability was Allan Johnston, who was, of course, here when he was younger. We like players like that and we also like to think players like that prosper under us."

The Hearts fans hope he will be allowed to do that, for both the club and the player's sake. "If he keeps doing what he is doing there will be people down south taking notes on him," added Brown. "We never had the opportunity to work much with Allan - he moved on at the end of our first season. But he was one of the most skilful players you will ever come across. We just hope David will stay here.I don't think moving at this stage will be to his benefit."

Brown has seen it all with Hearts and was at Tynecastle the last time the side won five consecutive away games, back in 1997-98. Tipped into the manager's seat yesterday for a few hours after Jefferies had been detained in the Borders due to snow, Brown reflected on Hearts' recent form, agreeing that it called to mind the season when they lifted the Scottish Cup 12 years ago.

"I don't know if right now we have got the team that we had then," he said. "As the season goes on it may prove to be as good as that team. We are playing the same system, which worked then."

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The kings of the road clash this weekend when Hearts face Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who have not lost an away match since November last year. Unfortunately for the Tynecastle side they must host Terry Butcher's team, but then, as Brown observed, "we have brushed up on our home form too".

As long as the spirit is good, then Hearts should have no qualms about where they play. Their desire was evident in the response to Tuesday night's win at Motherwell, with the hidden dressing-room cameras relaying the scenes of joy to Sky viewers.

"I remember when we first moved here we got a victory at Tynecastle and everyone was sitting in the dressing room as if it didn't matter," said Brown. "And now, winning does matter. Everyone is pulling together."

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