Hearts boss has no fear of Callum Paterson burn-out

JOHN McGLYNN today hailed Callum Paterson as one of Hearts’ best players this season – and the manager has no plans to rest the player despite his tender years.

The Tynecastle manager fast-tracked the South Queensferry teenager into his first team plans in pre-season, and the attacker has not looked back.

Paterson, who only turned 18 last month, is one of five Hearts players to have started all 15 competitive games this season and, despite being used at right-back, right-midfield and centre-forward, he has proved to be something of a revelation.

While many managers might consider resting a young player in order to prevent burn-out, McGlynn insists Paterson is playing too well to be considered for a spell on the sidelines.

With reference to the midweek League Cup success against Dundee United in which Paterson scored, McGlynn said: “Callum has done really well. Why would you take one of your better players out of the team? If I was sitting on the Dundee United bench and he wasn’t playing, I’d be relieved.

“He scored twice at Tannadice the last time and now he’s scored three. It’s in the mindset as a manager when you’re picking a team, whether they’d fancy playing against certain players. For example, would Sean Dillon fancy chasing him all day?”

Dismissing the suggestion of burn-out, he jokingly added: “Will he burn out? I’ve put someone [John Sutton] up alongside him to ease the

workload!”

Meanwhile, midfielder Ryan Stevenson will miss today’s SPL clash with Dundee at Dens Park as a result of concussion suffered at Tannadice on Wednesday.

“Ryan Stevenson won’t take any part in the game,” said McGlynn. “He had concussion. The doctor said he could start the second half but it was noticeable he wasn’t right. If there were a few more days he’d have been fine but, even though Ryan will say he’s alright and wants to play, we have to be careful.”