Hearts manager John McGlynn has praised Darren Barr as his team's "unsung hero".
Barr has continued in midfield under McGlynn after being converted from his natural defensive role by Paulo Sergio in the latter stages of last season.
The former Falkirk player helped Hearts to a 1-0 win over Motherwell on Saturday in the role alongside Mehdi Taouil and McGlynn is pleased with the dynamics in his central midfield three.
"The balance in midfield is important," McGlynn told Hearts TV.
"Mehdi has got great skill and ability, Darren is like an unsung hero, going around winning tackles and headers and winning the ball back and passing it very well also.
"And Ryan Stevenson is playing ahead of them, he can drop in but we like to get him forward.
"But even on Sunday Darren had a great run through the middle and Andy Webster found him with a magnificent ball and we weren't far away from scoring a goal from that.
"So he has got everything in his locker."
McGlynn, whose team host Ross County in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday, added: "I'm delighted with the partnership we are forming in there with Mehdi, Darren and Ryan.
"There are still a few others in the young team who have done well in there and can step in throughout the season."
