Caley Thistle midfielder Iain Vigurs hopes Inverness can hold on to winger Jake Mulraney but he says nobody would be happier than him to see the Irishman thrive with Hearts.
Mulraney has attracted the attention of Hearts manager Craig Levein, and spent two days training with the Jambos at their Edinburgh base last week.
Levein has yet to confirm whether he will make a move for Mulraney, who netted his first goal for Republic of Ireland under-21s in a 2-1 defeat against Norway last month.
Vigurs believes Mulraney has shown himself to be a vital part of John Robertson’s Inverness side but he would not begrudge the 21-year-old former Queens Park Rangers midfielder the opportunity to test himself at a higher level.
Former Ross County player Vigurs said: “We have seen Jake at his best this season and he’s got pace to terrify most defences. When he’s on form, nobody can stop him.
“If he does go to Hearts that’s what you want – boys playing at the highest level and to the best of their ability.
“If Jake is playing to the best of his ability, he shouldn’t be anywhere near this team or this league. It’s just a mindset with him and I hope for him personally he does get his move. He works hard in training and always wants to get better.
“Selfishly we want to keep him until the end of the season but I would love to see him get a move and kick on if it does happen. I’m happy for him because he’s a nice lad. I’ve said to him many times if he plays like he knows he can and like I know he can, he can play in any league he wants.
“He’s a cracking player with great feet and pace. In this modern day, you need that. He’s got it all ahead of him and it’s up to him to make it happen.”
Aberdeen-born midfielder Vigurs believes Robertson will already be eyeing up potential replacements for Mulraney, who is out of contract in the summer, and the 29-year-old added: “If he goes, it’s an opportunity for another player and I just hope we can get a player of similar quality to Jake, if not better. But we know the budget at Inverness and to be able to get someone of Jake’s ability is going to be tough. I’m sure the manager, Brian Rice and Scott Kellacher are looking – they won’t be going into this blind.”
