Jambos based at St Andrews ahead of final

Craig Levein will whisk his Hearts squad to St Andrews next week as the Jambos step up their preparations for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic.

The capital club end their Premiership campaign with a trip to face the Hoops on Sunday, with both sides expected to field much-changed line-ups ahead of the Hampden showpiece six days later.

It is understood Hearts will then travel to St Andrews immediately after their fixture at Parkhead to begin their build-up for the big day in earnest.

Hearts will stay in the picturesque town for a threeday training camp, with Levein keen to escape the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh and ensure absolute focus ahead of the club’s biggest fixture in seven years.

St Andrews has been a regular Hearts haunt during pre-season in previous campaigns, while Dundee United were based there during Levein’s tenure as manager, so he is familiar with the facilities and layout.

Hearts will then stay at a hotel on the outskirts of Glasgow the night before the final.

Meanwhile, the Jambos are on the cusp of selling out their ticket allocation for the May 25 clash.