Lichties looking magic
A youthful Hearts side fell to a surprise defeat against Championship Arbroath in their first pre-season game.
Jamie Walker and Conor Washington both sat out after signing this week as Craig Levein ran the rule over his young guns.
But Arbroath, with a Gayfield crowd of over 1000 behind them, stole the show with goals from Luke Donnelly and Steven Doris.
The likes of Aaron Hickey, Harry Cochrane and Connor Smith all started for the Jambos, who made 10 changes at half-time.
But Arbroath weren’t taking the game as lightly with star man Bobby Linn setting up several chances.
Omar Kader’s shot was blocked but last season’s promotion-winners weren’t to be denied again as the excel lent Linn found Donnelly at the near post who flicked it past Bobby Zlamal in goal.
Hearts had chances to level with Cochrane and Lewis Moore coming close.
Then veteran striker Steven MacLean fired from the edge of the box but hit the bar.
One of the many changes for Hear ts was the introduction of 16-year-old Leo Watson, who made his Jambos debut just days after signing a first pro contract.
The left-back got stuck in straight away, setting up a chance for striker Euan Henderson before nearly finding the net himself.
Linn is usually the man the Lichties look to for a goal, with 21 league goals last campaign.
But the 33-year-old was happy to turn provider against the Edinburgh side as he found a second assist late on.
With four minutes left, Linn played in Doris who finished past Hearts’ sub keeper Colin Doyle to make it 2- 0.