GARANG Kuol admits his Hearts loan move didn't play out as he'd hoped but the Newcastle United youngster is still taking the positives from his spell in Scotland.

The highly-rated teenager joined the Magpies from Central Coast Mariners in January and was much sought-after when Eddie Howe made it clear he planned to send the winger straight out on loan.

Hearts won the battle for the Australian international, but Kuol only ended up making eight appearances, though he did sign off in style with a last minute equaliser away at Rangers in what proved to be his last outing for the Edinburgh side.

The 18-year-old would like to have played more in his first loan spell away from Newcastle, but says he's still learnt a lot from his time away.

“People look at the game time as a negative, and obviously it’s not ideal," he said.

“At the end of the day, what I’m doing in training every day is what makes me a better player. A lot of people look past that, look at the game time and they make it a whole negative story.

“I’m very happy that I came here, I’ve met some wonderful people, the coaches, and hopefully I can just keep developing.

“It (the Rangers goal) just shows perseverance and the hard work I did behind the scenes on the training pitch every day.

“I just thought, ‘finally’. Obviously it’s been a tough period and just to get that goal was like a sigh of relief.”

What didn't help Kuol's cause was upheaval behind the scenes at Hearts. Robbie Neilson, the manager who signed him in January, was sacked in April after a run of five straight defeats. His interim replacement Steven Naismith is now set for the job on a permanent basis after guiding Hearts to a fourth place finish, secured thanks to a 1-1 draw with Edinburgh rivals Hibs on the final day. Kuol was an unused substitute.

He said: "The boys have worked hard. Obviously, tough periods come by. To be in the position we are in now shows the perseverance that the boys have, especially since Naisy has come in.

“He has got us working and to finish fourth, I think the boys can hold their heads high.”

READ MORE:

Kuol will return to Newcastle for the start of pre-season. He'll hold talks with Howe and the coaching staff to determine the best course of action, but the head coach admitted the winger is likely to again go out on loan before the start of next season.

“It’s been a tough loan spell for him, but hopefully there’s some real positivity to take into the summer for him, off the back of that goal," said Howe last week.

“I think it’s probably too early for him to be part of our first-team picture here next year. I think potentially another loan spell will do him good as he continues to develop to the pace of this league.”