Hearts consider move for a new goalkeeper

Jack Hamilton's position as Hearts' No.1 goalkeeper is under threat ahead of the new season. Tynecastle coaching staff have enquired about signing a new keeper after leaving the Scotland squad member out of the team for the final three games of last season.

Unlucky for some: Jack Hamilton was handed the No.13 shirt for training

Hamilton has been wearing the No.13 training kit since pre-season training began at Riccarton. The No.1 shirt he had last year remains free. Swedish understudy Viktor Noring wore 13 last season but is now using the No.31 kit. He will become third choice if another goalkeeper arrives.

Hamilton was installed as first-choice goalkeeper by former Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson last summer. He played throughout the 2016/17 campaign before dropping to the 
substitutes’ bench for the final three games.

Current head coach Ian Cathro is keen to help Hamilton develop and improve his game along with the club’s goalkeeping coach, Paul Gallacher. However, he stopped short of confirming the 23-year-old as first-choice for the new campaign.

“Everything is up for competition. From day one of pre-season, it’s a blank page for me. Everyone has a fresh start and they need to come in ready to work,” Cathro told the Evening News.

“I think we have to continually remind ourselves that Jack is a young, developing goalkeeper. He has crammed in a lot of different experiences in a short space of time. Jack is a focused guy with a maturity beyond his years.

“He will take value from his involvement with Scotland, particularly in massive matches against England last season. We need to support him to make sure he fulfils his potential as a Hearts goalkeeper.”