Hollis to cover for Gallacher as Hearts keeper fights for fitness

HEARTS have signed former Motherwell goalkeeper Lee Hollis after a training ground injury sustained by Scott Gallacher meant the Tynecastle side were faced with the prospect of fielding a teenage debutant against Hibernian.

The 19-year-old Jack Hamilton had already been recalled from a loan spell at Stenhousemuir this week following the collision that saw first-choice goalkeeper Neil Alexander carried off with a fractured cheekbone against Rangers last weekend. But now head coach Robbie Neilson has been handed another headache after Gallacher, who was set to deputise for Alexander both tomorrow and in the coming weeks, twisted an ankle in training. Neilson moved quickly to sign the 28-year-old Hollis, who was released by Motherwell in the summer.

Although Gallacher has not been ruled out of tomorrow’s Championship clash with Hibs, Hearts have brought in Hollis as a precaution. With Gallacher struggling to shake off the knock, Hamilton was left as the club’s only fit goalkeeper, and he has not yet made a first-team appearance.

Hollis has signed a short-term deal until January and Neilson has no concerns about throwing the 28-year-old straight into the action tomorrow.

“Lee’s an experienced goalkeeper and has spent the last few seasons with Motherwell and has played in Europe for them,” the head coach said.

Hollis played 21 times for Motherwell during four years at Fir Park, including both legs of their Europa League tie against Russian club Kuban Krasnodar last season. Prior to joining Motherwell he spent seven seasons with Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie.