Hearts players rally around Socceroos teen Garang Kuol after debut to forget in Scottish Premiership

Australian rules football’s top young prospect, Garang Kuol, has received encouraging and sympathetic support from his Hearts captain after enduring a punishing week of his football education in the UK.

The teenager Kuol was removed at half time in his full Scottish Premiership debut on Wednesday, having struggled in a 2-0 loss to Rangers after playing out of position in an unfamiliar position in midfield.

It now remains to be seen if Hearts boss Robbie Neilson will push the 18-year-old straight into the fray in an attacking role when the Edinburgh club host Dundee United on Saturday.

But Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has no doubt that the young Kuol, on loan from Newcastle United, who also chastised himself for missing a chance he felt should have scored against Livingston last weekend , he just needs a little time and care to show everyone his rare ability. .

“It’s a tough night for a kid coming into a new league,” Shankland told reporters, reflecting on a night that showed why Premier League Newcastle sent him north of the border to learn about the physical and demanding nature of the british game.

Garang Kuol’s teammates have joined him after a complete debut to forget in Scotland

The Socceroos’ weapon had no impact as Hearts suffered a 2-0 loss to Rangers.

Soccer is different and there will be a lot of learning, but he is a child and needs time to develop. It’s a big difference between playing under-23 football in the future and playing first-team football for Hearts against Rangers.

“If you look at his career, I don’t think he’s played that much in the first team, but he looks good in training, he’s talented. He doesn’t get the ‘wonderful kid’ tag for no reason.

“Talent just needs to be nurtured to make him a first-team player.” And I’m sure it will be. It’s experience. Everyone needs to get it and along the way you make mistakes.

‘I did a lot myself at that age and more. That’s why I’m 27 now and I have gray hair!

“He is also a little boy and people need to give him time. He’s only 18 and it’s hard when young players get this ‘wonder boy’ name because he travels with them.

“People just need to let him play, he’s a kid.”

Kuol began his professional career with the Central Coast Mariners in Australia’s A-League and made an impression from the start.

Kuol became the youngest player since Brazilian superstar Pele to make his World Cup round of 16 debut.

It had been a tough baptism for Kuol, whose poor challenge had given Rangers the free-kick from which they took an early lead but, although he looked overwhelmed in midfield, he earned praise for the way he fought back and showed moments. of attacking style when Neilson moved him forward.

“With Garang, it’s a big learning curve for him,” Neilson said.

‘We know that in possession and leading people, he has incredible ability. He saw it with his pass to Barrie McKay in the first half. The defensive aspects that he needs to work on, and he knows it himself.