James Wilson and Adam Forrester’s exploits with the Heart of Midlothian first team are inspiring their peers to follow in their footsteps.

That is according to Callum Sandilands who played alongside the duo in the B team until both became regulars in recent first-team squads.

Sandilands has been on the periphery himself, making the bench for the recent Conference League win over Omonia Nicosia.

Watching Wilson score a late leveller in the recent Edinburgh derby, his second goal this season, and Forrester in a rotating right-back role with Daniel Oyegoke is inspiring Sandilands and the rest of the B team to also make step up.

The attacking midfielder also praised the input of new Hearts head coach Neil Critchley since his arrival in Gorgie.

“He's been brilliant with us all,” Sandilands told Hearts Standard. “He's doing a lot with me. He's talking to us a lot, which is all we're looking for. And the chance is there. We're training more consistently, a few of us with the first team. But when we're not involved, he's speaking to us.

"And then looking at James and looking at Adam, they're getting consistent minutes. Adam's had consistent minutes since he's made his debut.

"James has come on, scored twice. It's what he dreams of, it's what we dream of. So, yes, it's definitely inspiring us."

One dream has already been fulfilled: being part of a match-day squad on a European night under the lights at Tynecastle Park.

Despite not getting on the pitch, it was an experience savoured by Sandilands. The outside chance of being involved after training with the first team in the build-up is something he cherishes.

"It's unbelievable,” continued Sandilands. “Initially, training with the boys in the lead-up to these games, training with them in the lead-up to the derby. Brilliant, unbelievable experience.

"And then actually being involved in the squad was unbelievable. You've got that wee chance of getting on and making, for me, my debut. So, it's all I can ask for. I just need to keep working towards getting that next step and making it onto the pitch.

“The fans were unbelievable on the night as well. So, that was nice to hear as well. And the boys played really well."

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There was a suggestion earlier in the season that this coming January could see Sandilands go out on loan somewhere but there have as yet been no recent discussions on that with Critchley.

For now, the 19-year-old is focussing on getting up to full match sharpness after recovering from a torn meniscus and subsequent keyhole surgery.

The “frustrating” 2-1 defeat to Celtic B at Ainslie Park earlier in the week was the second time he has completed a match since his return. Sandilands now feels he is close to full match sharpness as Hearts B go in search of their first win since August.

"The initial stage of recovery, it was easy,” he said, “so it's really just getting that 90 minutes of game time where I'm free-flowing the whole game. But I'm getting there.

"I think we're looking at eight weeks now, eight weeks since the surgery. So I've had four games in the space of two and a half weeks.

“I recovered quite quickly. It's just that final stage of getting fully match fit now.”