Hearts boss Craig Levein has been delighted with the development of young centre-back John Souttar.

The 20-year-old has been tipped for big things in Scottish football since breaking into the Dundee United side as a teenager, and was impressive as the Jambos earned a 1-1 draw at Partick Thistle.

Souttar was comfortable with the ball at his feet and at times posed the biggest threat to the home defence with his some rangy runs, and Levein has been pleased with the return to form of his defender.

Like much of the squad, Souttar struggled to impose himself under the tutelage of Ian Cathro but Levein's arrival has brought about an immediate change in fortunes.

The manager said: "What really pleased me about John was the way he got back to playing (with the ball at his feet).

"He joined in from deep on a few occasions and his range of passing, and way of striking the ball is exceptional.

"We've been really concentrating hard on the other side of his game in the last month, as well as defending, heading, tackling, sensing danger and those things."

When asked if his centre-back was ready to be called into Gordon Strachan's full Scotland squad, Levein added: "I won't get John in to the national team, you guys (the media) might!

"But for me, he's got everything.

"Christophe (Berra) and Aaron Hughes have been a big help to him. If you watch him today, everybody thinks he is older than he is because he's been around that long.

"He has everything that's needed and I think he will get older and tougher and learns the position.

"I thought he was very very good."

The point at the Energy Check Stadium extended Hearts' unbeaten run to three games under Levein, with Ross Callachan's header salvaging a point late on.

Blair Spittal had scored the opener for Thistle, who are still searching for their first win of the season and manager Alan Archibald was frustrated to see a crucial call go against his side, with replays inconclusive on whether Callachan's header crossed the line.

He said: "When you're down at the bottom and haven't won a game, these things become harder and it always seems to happen a lot more, but it was a good positive performance.

"I was delighted with the boys after a slow five to 10 minute start."