Alloa Athletic have reaped the rewards after the transfer of youngster Russell McLean to Hearts over the summer.

The Larbert native had been at the Indodrill Stadium as part of Graeme Liveston’s youth setup who he joined from Syngenta Juveniles back in August 2012.

McLean was given his first team debut at centre back in the pre-season matches of 2013 against Peterhead and Cove Rangers by then boss Paul Hartley and became the youngest player to play for the club’s first team at the age of 15 years and a month old.

The Wasps are now thought to have received a five figure compensation package from last season’s SPFL Championship winners for the youngster’s services and the Tynecastle side gave him his first team debut last Tuesday in the 2-0 win over Raith Rovers at Starks Park.

McLean is a versatile talent who has played at both centre back and up front for the Wasps, scoring 74 goals including 34 goals last season for 17s and Development League team.

The six foot plus teenager, who had trials with English sides Fulham and Coventry last term, was just one of a number of youngsters at the club who have attracted the attention from several Scottish and English clubs this season.

Alloa head of youth Graeme Liveston reckons it is a positive sign that the club’s youth policy is working.

He said: “We are delighted for Russell and wish him all the very best at Hearts. This move is a huge compliment to our academy system to have a club like Hearts come in for one of our top players, but we are aware that it is much more important that such players go on to play for the club’s first team.

“We have other academy players who have interested other clubs over the past season as well such as Scott Hynd, Ryan Hoggan, and U14s Joe Moore and Scotland U14s international striker Declan McDonald. Hopefully we can see these players breaking into the first team over the next few years.”