| As a defender Craig Thomson knows the havoc an on-form David Templeton can create and he hopes his team-mate will continue to be the marvel in maroon for some time to come. Templeton has been inspirational in Hearts' recent run which sees them six points clear in third place in the SPL, with some backing Jim Jefferies' men to split rivals Rangers and Celtic or even pick up the title themselves. Hearts are on fire at the moment having won eight and drawn one of their past 10 games, losing only to Kilmarnock in that time. They line up against Killie next to erase that blemish. Templeton has scored four times in the past seven games, generating a great deal of interest with the January transfer window opening shortly. But Jefferies is determined his squad stays intact and Thomson hopes Templeton will stay at Tynecastle for some time to come. He 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. Thomson went on: "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. 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." Wit Hearts in the mood and form they are in at the moment, it is hard to see what Thomson could do to shorten his time on the bench. Thomson has made seven starts and five substitute appearances this season, 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 Killie game and beyond, with Hibs providing the opposition at Tynecastle on New Year's Day. Thomson 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 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." |