Hearts pleased with debutant duo

Linas Pilibaitis is on loan from Kaunas

Hearts have expressed themselves pleased with the debuts of Linas Pilibaitis - and interim head coach Anatoly Korobochka.

Lithuanian midfielder Pilibaitis was a surprise inclusion in the 2-0 defeat of Motherwell at Fir Park.

And delighted assistant Stephen Frail, teaming up with Korobochka for the first time, said: "Linas has only had a game and a half in the reserves.

"He tired badly towards the end, but I thought he worked hard."

The 21-year-old Pilibaitis, on-loan FBK Kaunas, played in the centre of midfield alongside Laryea Kingston.

"He is more of an attacking midfielder like Laryea, so we never really had a sitting midfielder in there, but I was pleased with him," said Frail.

There is no difference between Valdas and the person coming in Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston

"But he scored two goals against Aberdeen, one that would have graced any game, a half-volley into the top corner."

Recent signing Kingston was delighted with his own contribution and the impact of Korobochka in his first game in charge during the absence of Valdas Ivanauskas.

The Ghana international set up both goals as Hearts kept alive their hopes of finishing second in the Scottish Premier League.

He also cleared a David Clarkson header off the line as Motherwell exerted sustained pressure in the second half.

"This is why they put me there," Kingston said.

"I'm very happy that I apply my crossing and free-kicks and the corner kicks and it works. So I'm very happy with my performance.

"All my team-mates have confidence in me. At set-pieces, they see I have that potential and that's very good for me."

Hearts moved level on points with Aberdeen and seven behind second-placed Rangers as they bid for Champions League qualification.

And Kingston insists there has been little disruption caused by the ongoing absence of Ivanauskas, who is officially away on "football business".

"Everything is the same, everything is normal," added the midfielder.

"All the players respect each other. All the trainers are respected. There is no difference between Valdas and the person coming in."