Melbourne Heart assistant coach Ante Milicic admits management were taken aback by Craig Goodwin's debut in the weekend's derby stalemate.

The 20 year-old was simply outstanding on debut.

"He played outstandingly," Milicic told the Herald-Sun.

"I didn't expect him to play that well.

"Last week we got him to train with us and we thought, 'Gee, it would have been nice if he'd come off the bench in an earlier game or been part of the travelling squad'.

"But to start in such a big game was amazing and I think the game really panned out well for him. He really did a lot better than was expected of him in his first game.

"It was a great debut."