Edwards confident new faces will impress

Ryan Edwards feels a welcoming culture and some tactical work on the training field can allow a new-look Hearts to gel quickly.

The Australian midfielder is among 11 summer signings who could line up for Hearts in tonight’s Betfred Cup fixture at Cove Rangers.

Edwards met some familiar faces after moving from Partick Thistle but the vast majority of Craig Levein’s new players will experience their first taste of Scottish football at Balmoral Stadium.

However, Edwards is convinced they are in good shape.

The 24-year-old former Reading player said: “It’s a bit strange for me because I haven’t moved around clubs a whole lot. Coming into the dressing room at Thistle was great, they made me feel really welcome, and again here at Hearts I have been made very welcome.

“I think it’s maybe a Scottish mentality and culture, which is fantastic for outsiders coming in.

“I knew a lot of people already after playing three seasons in the league against players, you get familiar with faces.

“I knew a few Australians, I knew Uche (Ikpeazu) from Reading, Gall (Paul Gallacher), the goalkeeping coach, was at Thistle, I did my B licence with the masseuse. So it was a bit strange coming in, I already knew half the changing room.

“For the boys who have already been here, they have made the 10, 11, 12 of us feel really welcome. Off the pitch it has been a smooth transition.

“I think you have seen in the pre-season games so far, there is stuff to work on on the pitch and getting to know players, but training has been very competitive. “

Cove Rangers began their cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Inverness on Saturday, while Hearts’ last first-team game was a 1-0 friendly defeat by Queen of the South.

Goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal is expected to overcome an ankle problem, but teenager Bobby Barnes is a serious doubt.

Ryan Edwards is confident Hearts’ new-look side can gel.