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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
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Alan Galindo

Graham Arnold planning Garang Kuol Australia 'energy' pick up after 'tough start' at Hearts

Australia boss Graham Arnold is keen to bring Garang Kuol back into the Australia fold after a 'tough start' to life at Hearts.

Robbie Neilson snapped up the highly-rated Socceroos star on a loan deal until the summer from Newcastle United following his switch to the English Premier League outfit from Central Coast Mariners. He is joined in the capital by his international colleagues Kye Rowles, Cammy Devlin and Nathaniel Atkinson.

The Jambos boss has previously called for patience around the 18-year-old and fellow January recruit Yutaro Oda. Kuol has made five appearances for Hearts to date as they look to finish best of the rest once again behind Celtic and Rangers in a bid to secure European football while they are also fighting it out to win the Scottish Cup.

READ MORE: Robbie Neilson labels Hearts' next four games as a 'big period' for their season targets

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Arnold - like Neilson - admits it will take him time to settle in Scotland and get up to speed with the way the game is played here and reckons it would be good for him to be part of his squad for the clashes with Ecuador later this month in Sydney and Melbourne.

Speaking at his press conference announcement of the home coming fixtures, Arnold said: “Garang, at this moment, I think it's good for him to come back and be in camp and be around the boys, and we pick up his energy a little bit,'

“He's had a bit of a tough start at Hearts. The Scottish game, and the way that it's played, is completely different to Australia, so it's going to take a little bit of time for him to settle in with that and obviously learn that.

"I know the expectations of the kid are always very, very high, and going to Hearts I can imagine that was exactly the same, so it's a learning process for Garang and making sure that he can deal with it and we can be here to help him deal with it.

“I could either let him go with the (Australian) under 23s, or bring him here with us, because the Under 23s will have camp at the same time in Italy. For him to come back to us and again to be part of the Socceroos squad that did well at the World Cup, and give him one of the first chances, is important for him as well.”

READ NEXT:

- Michael Smith would love Hearts stay as he sends future message but concedes decision not his

- Hearts loanee James Hill reveals ex-Celtic star Ryan Christie's advice ahead loan from Bournemouth

- Robbie Neilson Hearts must take 'next step' in Scottish Cup as he hails goal star Stephen Humphrys

- Lawrence Shankland's Hearts shout at Stephen Humphrys revealed as he opens up on own half stunner

- Robert Snodgrass details his Hearts 'biggest disappointment' as he watches Rodri for new role tips

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