Templeton has tormented Scottish Premier League defences this season

Hearts winger David Templeton could be in line for an international call-up with Scotland coach Craig Levein keeping tabs on the player.

The 21-year-old has impressed during Hearts' recent winning streak and has scored seven goals so far this season for the Scottish Premier League club.

"He's one I've got my eye on," said Levein. "He probably has to improve.

"He has to continue at least with his recent standards that he's producing on the field."

Templeton, who joined Hearts from Stenhousemuir in 2007, has been capped for Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level.

"He's just indicative of a group of younger players with a great degree of technical ability that should flourish and develop and help the Scottish national team in the years to come," added Levein.

"Of course, we've still got Andrew Driver to come back for Hearts as well.

"There are a lot of young players who are eligible to play for Scotland these days that really excites me. David, if he continues his improvement, will be another one of those."

Hearts assistant manager Billy Brown suspects Templeton will attract interest from other clubs but insists Tynecastle is the best place for the player to be at the moment.

"At the moment he looks a fair prospect and he could go and play anywhere if he fulfils what he's showing at the moment," he said.

"He's certainly got the temperament to go as far as he needs to go. It's just whether he matures and whether he can keep it up consistently.

"If he's still playing as well in May then we can say we've got a real player on our hands. He's as good as anybody we've had and we've had some good players.

"Now whether he turns out to be as good as the players we've had in the past with that ability we'll just have to see.

"We're not saying David Templeton's as good as them yet, but we're certainly hopeful. He's got the skill and at the moment he's justifying our faith in him."

"If he keeps doing what he's doing, there will be people, down in England particularly, taking notice of him.

"We just hope that David can stay here. I don't think moving at this minute is to his benefit. The more games he gets in the first team, the better he'll get."

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