Garang Kuol's Hearts loan may not be going the way he had expected when he signed in January.

The Newcastle United youngster is only 18, but has failed to impress in Scotland.

Interim manager Steven Naismith, however, will give him a chance between now and the end of the season.

“I didn't know too much in terms of Garang's best attributes when he signed because I was with the B team," Naismith told Edinburgh Evening News.

“Like I've done with so many other players, I sat down and had a chat with him.

“I told him: 'First of all, I understand you have moved halfway round the world. At 18, you've moved to one club and went on loan to another club. You have all this pressure on you deliver. That's a lot to deal with, so let's strip it back. You firstly need to get to the point where you are just enjoying it and you are learning.'

“I texted Garang after the game on Saturday [against Ross County] when I went home because he was on my mind. I said: 'I know you will be really disappointed not to get on the pitch. I know you might have been sitting thinking you would definitely get on at 6-0. It was more circumstances of players coming off and who I felt I could put on rather than anything you've done.'

“Since I've been in this role, he has shown a willingness to learn and I've seen improvement – more with off-the-ball stuff. He is a young kid and he lacks that switch when you lose the ball to think: 'Right, what do I do?' He hasn't had that coached as yet. Over the last couple of weeks I've seen a big difference and his reactions are much better now.

“He wants to be involved and score goals like every player does. We do sympathize with him. I've enjoyed working with him and I think he will be a good player in years to come. He just needs to keep learning."