Steven Naismith has urged Hearts’ youngsters to grab their chance to shine in the Marbella sun as they prepare to end their pre-season trip with a friendly against Plymouth tomorrow.
Ten of the Tynecastle kids that were part of Naismith’s B team last season have journeyed out to southern Spain for the warm weather training camp. Goalkeepers Harry Stone and Liam McFarlane join Luke Rathie, Calum Flatman, Harry Gordon, Aiden Denholm, Bobby McLuckie, Finlay Pollock, Calum Sandilands and James Wilson in the squad.
And most, if not all, will get a taste of the action against Championship side Argyle on Wednesday evening along with Liam Boyce and Beni Baningime who are both back after lengthy spells out with ACL injuries. Technical director Naismith said: “This is an opportunity for the younger players. They have the chance to show that they can survive in the first team environment, but also try to make an impact and look to try and take someone’s place in the team.
“Some of the boys are getting rest at the moment, hence the number of young players. The first conversation I had with the academy players was that, when they were in the first team arena, the basic level they had to meet was to survive.
“If you can survive, and don’t disrupt the session in a negative way, then that’s success and you build and build on that. If they can deal with the faster temp, better touches and quicker pressing then they can kick on, grow and fight a place in the first team.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity for them. Some have done really well, some will realise what work they have to do, but that’s all part of the learning process.”
Plymouth romped to the League One title last season and will pose a stern test for the Jambos. Naismith said: “I’ll not be paying too much attention to the scoreline. Most the players will play 45 minutes.
“They want to play football and it will be a good test for us. It’s not such a big jump that you’re not going to get out it what you want. We will implement what we want to do. That’s the message to the players - go and do what we do. If you make a mistake then this is when you do it, in pre-season.”
