Robbie Neilson has delivered a positive injury update on key Hearts duo Barrie McKay and Craig Halkett with the new Premiership season looming.
The Jambos have four friendlies against English opposition starting with Tranmere Rovers this evening as they bid to mimic what it will be like to play on the European stage this season. Two of the games will be away with travelling and training planned between to help get ready for the European adventure this season.
Two men who will be crucial to Hearts' chances are McKay and Halkett with Neilson outlining the latest news on the duo and his plans for the coming weeks for the pair. After tonight's clash they face Crawley Town on Saturday before a trip to English Championship outfit Preston North End with Stoke City then making the trip to Tynecastle next weekend.
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Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “Barrie just had a wee niggle and he was desperate to play [in the friendlies last week.]
"We just felt a couple of days’ rest was what he needed to make sure he was ready for Tranmere. He’ll probably start.
On Halkett, Neilson added: “He’s back running again, but to be honest I think it will be Preston before he is back. He’ll travel with us down to England and do some stuff. He’s not far away.”
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Hearts enter the Europa League play-off round and stand just 180 minutes away from reaching the group stages of the competition proper. Victory and they will be in the hat but defeat, and they have the parachute of Europa Conference League football, meaning they will play at absolute minimum eight matches in Europe before Christmas.
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