It's not often you see a midfield duo comprised of a 17 and 18-year-old yet, as we know, Craig Levein is never afraid to give youngsters a chance.
And teenager Connor Smith grabbed his opportunity with both hands yesterday as he impressed on his full debut in the cauldron-like atmosphere of the Edinburgh derby.
Playing alongside Harry Cochrane, who rose to prominence after starring in the 4-0 thrashing of Brendan Rodgers' Celtic last season, Smith looked neat and tidy possession at Easter Road, while regularly getting himself into pockets of space to drive Hearts forward.
But little is known of the Hearts starlet outside the walls of Tynecastle. Just how bright a future does the midfielder have?
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Born in 2002, Smith signed for Hearts shortly after his 15th birthday, in March 2017.
The dynamic No.45 was on the books at the SFA's performance school at Edinburgh's Broughton High, and, in an inteview with Edinburgh News in March 2017, Smith was described by academy manager Roger Arnott as "an attacking central midfielder who is very technical and skilful with a great range of passing".
But not only that, he was known to be a hard worker who is keen to break forward from midfield and chip in with goals.
The complete midfielder, perhaps?
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The Hearts website does little to dampen the excitement with the 17-year-old being described as of the club's 'most exciting prospects', having starred in the reserve side this season.
Yet Smith first appeared in Craig Levein's starting XI at the end of last season, his senior bow coming against Kilmarnock in May, replacing his peer Harry Cochrane in the 44th minute, and picking up a booking on the hour mark as Hearts were defeated 1-0.
Three of his team-mates also made their debuts in Ayrshire that day - Chris Hamilton, Cammy Logan and Leeroy Makovora.
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Meanwhile, Smith has also appeared on the national stage and is highly regarded in the Scotland set up, having worn the captain's armband for the Under 17 side.
His older brother, Callum, is also a footballer - the 19-year-old has played for Scotland's youth teams too and is currently on the books at Dunfermline.
It's clear therefore the latest youngster to break into the Hearts first team is highly regarded, and if his 65-minute display in Sunday's Edinburgh derby is anything to go by, we can expect to see more of Connor Smith in the near future.
