Mulrooney moving up as Hearts youngster the latest to grab opportunity

After Gary Glen, Craig Thomson, David Templeton, Arvydas Novikovas and Scott Robinson, another graduate of the Riccarton youth academy is setting about establishing his credentials at first-team level. Sunday's exertions meant he could not go unnoticed.

Mulrooney, a 20-year-old from Bishopbriggs, was industrious and uncompromising in central midfield displaying an ability to compete against experienced SPL opponents Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben. His performance was all the more credible given he only discovered he was starting the match ten minutes before kick-off when Michael Stewart felt a calf strain stiffen.

The captain's was one of 14 injuries Hearts manager Jim Jefferies had to contend with over the weekend.

Remaining composed and assured, Mulrooney assumed Stewart's midfield mantle with discernible grit and desire, qualities which he believes are his best. Indeed it was no coincidence that United scored the only goal of the game as he toiled with cramp late in the second half before being substituted.

Frustratingly for the player, he has been unable to showcase himself in his favoured central role since debuting against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last November.

First-team duties have been restricted to a role wide on the right of midfield, but Sunday offered conclusive proof of where he operates most effectively.

"I prefer the physical side of the game," he said in an exclusive interview with the Evening News.

"But I've got to work on the other things, like getting the ball down and passing it and being calm on the ball. I'm more of a battling midfielder, I'd rather play in a battling game to be honest with you because I like to get involved.

"I usually play out wide but I am actually a central midfielder.

"It's hard to get in there because there's Michael Stewart, Ruben Palazuelos, Ian Black and Ryan Stevenson. It's good to finally get into my own position. I was told to go in there against United and break up the play, then deliver the ball into the forward channels for Jamie Mole and Calum Elliot. I thought I did okay.

"Personally I thought my overall performance was good and that has helped me. As a team, we battled well and were unlucky to lose a goal in the second half. Everyone was down after the game but we have another match away at Motherwell this weekend and we need to win that one."

Mulrooney made light of the late alteration which saw him replace Stewart in Hearts' starting line-up having originally been listed amongst the substitutes. He was motioned from the field to the dressing room and rushed through pre-match instructions with several wishes of good luck ringing in his ears. By then, it was all down to him.

"I was doing shooting practice with the other subs and not really getting prepared to play. Then I got the call to go into the dressing room and join the starting XI. It was a surprise but I've played a few first-team games now and I knew what I had to do. I just went out and did that.

"It was a bit of a rush before the game. I had to go in and get my set-piece instructions right and find out who I was marking at corners and free-kicks. It was a bit busy and there was a lot to take in."

The benefit of a maiden first-team start at Celtic Park last month, albeit in that wide-right berth, proved most useful. "I'm quite level headed generally," continued Mulrooney. "I played at Parkhead and that was a big experience for me. It was my first start and it was on the biggest stage. I tried to take that into Sunday's match."

Mulrooney admits to initial trepidation about what season 2009/10 would hold for him in a personal context. Coming out of under-19 football is daunting enough but with no SPL reserve league to compete in the ascent to first-team seemed gargantuan. Or so he thought.

"At the start of the season I wasn't expecting to be involved with the first-team. Certainly not playing anyway. I need to just keep improving and, if I get the chance to play, take it.

"We had a big squad at the start of the season but it's getting smaller and smaller with injuries. I'm too old to play under-19s so it's hard with no reserve league. I wasn't expecting to play a lot of games so it's really good to be getting involved in things now.

"All the younger players are getting their chance and, in training, we're all being encouraged each day. It's good to try stuff in training and matches, we don't get into trouble if we try something and it doesn't come off."

Hearts' policy is to reward youngsters for their progress so it was no surprise that Mulrooney penned a contract extension at the turn of the year.

"I was out of contract at the end of the year, I got offered a new contract and I've started to play games as well, so I'm really happy," he said.

"It's good to get that stability and know I'm staying here. It's a two-year contract so I knew I would have some time to get myself in the team.

"I'm starting to do that and I'm grateful for all the help I've received. Gary Locke (Hearts' first-team coach] is a bit younger and he's just finished playing so he knows everything that's going on.

"He gets the boys geed up for games, gets the music on and starts dancing about.

"He spoke to me before kick-off on Sunday and told me to go out, give it my best shot and get stuck in."

Mulrooney followed Locke's instructions to the letter and finished the match as Hearts' outstanding player. It is a standard he is determined to maintain.