Dunfermline will have to wait on loan signing

Hearts youngster is six weeks away from possible debut

Allan Johnston has revealed he does not expect new loan signing Aidan Keena to be fit for his Dunfermline debut for another six weeks.

The Hearts youngster joined the Pars on a season-long agreement on transfer deadline day on Friday along with Tynecastle team-mate Malaury Martin.

Martin was an unused substitute for the Fifers’ 3-0 defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday, but Johnston admits Keena is some way off arriving at East End Park.

The 19-year-old, who scored eight goals in 16 appearances for Queen’s Park on loan in the second half of last term, impressed Hearts manager Craig Levein with his displays in pre-season and has made two top-team appearances.

However, the Republic of Ireland under-18 cap was forced to undergo a hernia operation last month and will complete his rehabilitation at Hearts before crossing the Forth to join up with the Dunfermline squad.

Johnston said: “He was on loan last year and scored a few goals, and he did well in pre-season for Hearts.

“He’s a young player who is desperate to come and do well. He’s got good energy and good pace, and he’s a good finisher – you can see the goals he scored last season.

“But he’s not fit just now. He picked up an injury and is going to be out for a number of weeks. He’ll stay at Hearts until he’s ready to come.

“It’s probably going to be roughly six weeks but hopefully he can come and give us a wee lift when he gets fit.”

Meanwhile, Johnston is hopeful Keena’s Hearts colleague, Martin, can prove an influential signing.

The 30-year-old Frenchman has been frozen out at Tynecastle under Craig Levein and last played in August 2017.

However, Johnston has backed the former Monaco, Middlesbrough and Lillestrom player to prove a success in the Championship.

He added: “Malaury’s not really played much over the last while and Hearts have allowed him to come to try to get some game-time.

“He’s got a good pedigree and he’s got a lot of qualities, and hopefully he can force his way into the team and be a big player for us.

“He’s creative, he’s a really good passer, a good technical player and he’s capable of finding ‘that pass’ for the strikers ahead of him.

“He’s got a good track record and it’s up to him to come in and impress and do well. His qualities are undoubted, we just need to get him up to speed.”

Group. Picture: SNS Aidan Keena: Will stay with Hearts as he works his way back to fitness after a hernia operation.