Hearts got their pre-season programme off to the perfect start this afternoon as the Jambos battered Linlithgow Rose 6-0 in their opening summer friendly.
Under 18s coach John Rankin was forced to take the team today, rather than Robbie Neilson, after last night’s game against Berwick Rangers had to be scrapped due to Covid issues.
The Tynecastle club confirmed yesterday that five members of their football department - including three players - tested positive and now have to self isolate.
That put today’s game in doubt, but Hearts confirmed earlier that the Prestonfield meeting would going ahead as planned - and they'll now be absolutely delighted that it did.
Frenchman Loic Damour, out of favour since March 2020, made an unexpected appearance in central midfield against East of Scotland League opponents, whilst new permanent signing Josh Ginnelly took the field for the second half.
Finlay Pollock's brilliant solo strike opened the scoring early on, with Liam Boyce doubling the tally after just 19 minutes from the penalty spot, following a foul on Connor Smith.
Smith then managed to get himself on the scoresheet to make it 3-0 a few minutes later, before Boyce converted his second penalty of the match to make it 4-0 after just half an hour.
Temporary manager Rankin sent out an entirely different XI for the second half but the Jambos continued to dominate, with Armand Gnanduillet and Makenzie Kirk rounded off a fine afternoon's work, with competitive action beginning in the Premier Sports Cup two weeks from today.
