Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has detailed exactly where he sees summer recruit Kye Rowles fitting into his starting team.
The Australia international is set to meet his new Tynecastle team-mates this week after an extended summer break following his starring role in the Socceroos' World Cup finals qualification. Graham Arnold's men defeated Peru on penalties in the play-off final to secure a spot at the major tournament in Qatar later this year.
Rowles and fellow Hearts team-mate Nathaniel Atkinson missed the warm-weather training camp in Spain last week to get some extra time away from the pitch ahead of a huge season for the capital club as they bid to juggle domestic matters with guaranteed European group stage football. The Jambos finished third behind Celtic and Rangers last term and will be aiming for a similar outcome again this season while competing in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League group stages.
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Neilson has added Alan Forrest, Lewis Neilson, Alex Cochrane and Jorge Grant as well as Rowles to his squad this summer. The Hearts boss gathered plenty of advice on the defender before handing him a deal at Tynecastle as he outlined the role he sees him playing at the club.
Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, Neilson said: “We are delighted to get him first and foremost.
“We watched a lot of Kye and spoke to a lot of people in Australia about him. The feedback was all good. He is playing in the national team now and going to a World Cup.
“He is a really good defender in one-against-one situations, very composed on the ball with good athleticism. He gives us real balance being a left-sided centre-half so I think he will do well for us.
“We had Stephen Kingsley playing that position and he will continue to be there so it’s good competition for places. We have a squad that enables us to rotate people in and out.
“Andy Halliday can play left-back if needed and Alex Cochrane played a lot of games there last season. With the way we play, we needed a left-sided player in there so we are pleased to get Kye.”
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