Hearts boss hoping cap call lifts Templeton

JIM JEFFERIES reckons David Templeton will have been given a huge confidence boost after making his Scotland Under 21s debut - and hopes Hearts will reap the benefits.

The youngster made his first appearance for Billy Stark's side against Iceland in Reykjavic last Thursday night as a substitute and then came off the bench again in the second leg at Easter Road on Monday.

The winger has been in fine form for the Jambos this season, featuring in six out of the seven SPL matches the Tynecastle side have played in the league so far, scoring two goals in the process.

And, although he did not feature in Hearts' last league game against Rangers, Templeton is likely to be involved again tomorrow when his side travel north to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The 21-year-old suffered a dead leg in a bounce game against Hamilton on Tuesday night, Jefferies revealing that Templeton had come in and asked to feature against Billy Reid's side, despite his involvement with the national side the previous night.

The Hearts player was brought on for the final three minutes of the Under-21 European Championship play-off match and wanted to play against Accies to keep his fitness levels up to scratch ahead of the game against the Dons.

Jefferies has been delighted with his attitude and said: "Temps didn't come on against Rangers, so the last match he had was against Motherwell.

"Although he had been away with the Under 21s, he didn't get that much game time in the two matches against Iceland, so he asked if he could play in the bounce game.

"He picked up a bit of a dead leg, which was unfortunate, but hopefully he will be fine for the weekend.

"He will have taken confidence from playing for the 21s, so hopefully we will benefit from that."

Meanwhile, Jefferies will be in the dugout for the first derby of the season at Easter Road on Sunday, November 7 after his scheduled SFA disciplinary hearing was delayed.

Jefferies was sent to the stand by referee Willie Collum during the 3-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead last month.

He was hit with an automatic two-match ban but could have faced further punishment following a meeting planned for Tuesday.

But it has now been postponed until November 2 and any further ban would not take effect until at least seven days after that.