Demetri Mitchell has heart set on strong end to season

Demetri Mitchell has been with Manchester United since he was eight

“I am just worried at the moment about achieving as much as possible and doing well with Hearts,” Mitchell said ahead of tonight’s Tynecastle showdown with Kilmarnock. “We are still in the Scottish Cup and we need to finish in the top six, so there is lots to play for. Kilmarnock are only a few points behind us with games in hand so it is important we get a result. We are in the quarter-finals of the cup as well so we want to go far in that.”

Mitchell, who arrived at Tynecastle in January, was recently described by Craig Levein as his best loan signing as a manager following a strong start to his Hearts career. “This is the first time I have been away from Manchester United so it is something new for me,” said the 21-year-old. “I have been there since I was eight. I have settled in quickly but that’s down to the manager and my team-mates. It is nice to hear the manager say I’m a good signing but I have only played eight games and there is a lot more to come. I keep in touch with people at Man United and they are happy with how things are going.”

Mitchell is a close friend of fellow 21-year-old Scott McTominay, the English midfielder who has forced his way into José Mourinho’s United side recently and is eligible to play for Scotland. “I spoke to him the other day about Scotland and England but I won’t tell you what he said,” Mitchell explained. “He has really grown up and he is playing some excellent football right now. We have played together since I was eight and we have grown up together. Whatever country he plays for then they are going to be happy, because he is a top player. The manager gave me my debut and he has given Scott his as well, so he is giving youth a chance. It is encouraging to see because I still have my sights set on playing for Manchester United.”