'Role model' David Templeton is inspiration for Craig Thomson

Templeton has been inspirational in Hearts' recent run which sees them six points clear in third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, with some even suggesting Jim Jefferies' men could rival Rangers and Celtic for the title come the end of the season.

Hearts have won eight and drawn one of their past ten games, losing only to Kilmarnock - this weekend's opponents - in that time.

Templeton has scored four times in the past seven games, attracting admirers with the January transfer window approaching.

But Jefferies is determined his squad stays intact and Thomson hopes 21-year-old Templeton will stay at Tynecastle for a good while yet.

The 19-year-old said: "Temps is doing brilliantly. Hopefully he can keep doing it for Hearts. I would hate to see him go.

"I played with him at youth level and he did the exact same at youth level, he was different class and going by players. He's been outstanding since he got in."

Thomson hopes to take some inspiration from Templeton's displays, having struggled to make an impact this season.

Templeton was on the first-team fringes early in the campaign, but has now firmly established himself in the starting XI. Thomson hopes to do likewise.

"For everybody who is on the bench they have to model themselves on someone who is doing well and that's what I'll be doing," added Thomson.

"David Templeton has been outstanding this season and Adrian Mrowiec has been one of the stand-outs as well and he's another great role model."

While Templeton and Hearts are flying, it is likely Thomson will continue to have to watch from the sidelines.

Thomson has made seven starting appearances and five substitute appearances this term, with Eggert Jonsson occupying the right-back slot and Darren Barr in reserve.

Thomson added: "It is frustrating just now but Eggert and the whole team are doing well. I've got to bide my time for a chance and hopefully I can get a chance pretty soon.

"I am obviously hoping it doesn't happen but if the team doesn't do as well as they have been then I might get my opportunity."

Hearts hope to carry the momentum from their run into the Kilmarnock game and beyond, with Hibernian providing the opposition at Tynecastle on New Year's Day.

Thomson, who made his first-team debut against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League last August and was voted the SPL's young player of the month a few weeks later, added: "Kilmarnock have been playing great football but at the start of the season just weren't getting the results."They're a very good team and pass the ball really well.The result against us at Tynecastle really kicked them on but it also gave us a reality check and we have done well since then too, so it should be a good game.

"We would be disappointed not to finish in third place as we are six points clear (of Inverness Caledonian Thistle] at the moment. It's a good run.

"Our ambition is to get third - higher than that would be a bonus but we're not getting ahead of ourselves.

"We're doing well and hopefully we can keep it going."