Hearts plan up to dozen friendly games to get squad match-sharp
Hearts are planning up to 12 pre-season friendlies to ensure they are fully prepared for the Betfred Cup, Championship and Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs.
Manager Robbie Neilson is comfortable with the semi taking place on 31 October despite his team only beginning their Championship campaign against Dundee 14 days previously.
A demanding eight-week pre-season programme is being put together starting on Monday at Riccarton. It will include up to a dozen games to get players matchsharp, although it is not yet certain if fans will be allowed to attend.
“We’re going to take on a lot of games during pre-season,” said Neilson. “We’ll start on 21 August, that’s the first game we’ll play with a lot more to play during pre-season to make sure we get that match sharpness.
“Then we won’t have any issue going into Dundee having played only five or six games. By the time the Dundee game comes around, we’ll potentially have had about ten to 12 games.
“We’ve got a few of those confirmed already but nothing’s been announced. There’s a couple that are nailed down but we’re still looking for a few more.”
Asked about the timing of the Scottish Cup semi-final, the manager said he can see only positives about the tie between both Edinburgh clubs on Halloween.
“It’s a great thing and a great target for us. The players here all want to be involved in big games and it doesn’t get any bigger than that for us, that’s for sure,” he said.
“That’s why it’s important that we have the focus of the league. That’s important, but it’s more important to make sure we get through that semi-final.”
Hearts’ long-term injury absentees Peter Haring and John Souttar will take part in some sessions next week as they look to ease themselves back towards full training.
“Both of them will be good to go for a return to training. They’ve both been running over this period and both of them will come in on Monday,” confirmed Neilson.
“They won’t be involved with the squad but they’ll be doing the conditioning work with them. The plan is by the end of August that they’ll be back doing full training with the team.”
Neilson has held talks with Hearts’ football advisor Jim Jefferies this week about potential signing targets. The Edinburgh club are keen to bring in creative wide players and a central midfielder.
“It went really well and I’m really pleased with the conversations we’ve had. In terms of the relationship, we obviously knew each other before which makes it a lot easier,” explained Neilson.
“We’re in contact a few times a week and I spoke to him on Tuesday night and again yesterday. So it’s going well and it’s good to have Jim’s experience there.
“When I started at Hearts, Jim was here as the manager for four or five years so I know him well.
“I obviously knew him over the years since just through bumping into him at Hearts events, so the relationship doesn’t need to be built. It’s already there.”