Finlay Pollock will likely remain with the Hearts first team squad for the first part of the season rather than go out on loan.
The teenager made his first competitive start for the club in the 3-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Cove Rangers at Tynecastle.
And he almost marked with a first senior goal but saw a first-half effort hit the post.
Andy Halliday, Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven did find the net as Robbie Neilson 's men made it two wins from two in the competition.
But Pollock's display impressed Neilson, who wanted to reward the midfielder for his work over the summer following on from making his breakthrough towards the end of last season.
“I was pleased and overall the game was good," he said.
“In the first 15 minutes we were a bit slack but we settled down and we were comfortable.
“Cove played well and caused us a few problems but I’m delighted.
“Finlay has been great through pre-season and he was about the squad at the end of the season.
“He came in during the summer and it’s credit to him and the staff who came in over the close season to get him ready. We are seeing the benefits of that now.
“Some young boys will go out on loan so they need to go and play games but we are still to make a decision on Finlay but he will probably stay."
There was also a word for a man at the other end of the age scale after Craig Gordon broke the club record for not conceding a goal.
Neilson added: “I’m delighted for Craig to break the record, it is some achievement.
“We have had some unbelievable keepers here in the past but it is fully deserved.
“He has been fantastic last season and you can see the quality he brings to the team.”
