Gervane Kastaneer and Aaron McEneff set for Hearts debuts as Robbie Neilson reveals plan for new signings

Gervane Kastaneer and Aaron McEneff are poised for Hearts debuts against Ayr United at Somerset Park on Friday night.

New Hearts signings Aaron McEneff (left) and Gervane Kastaneer. Pics: Heart of Midlothian FC

Both players did extra training at Riccarton yesterday and will be involved in their first match this weekend after joining the Edinburgh club on Monday.

Kastaneer, a Dutch-born Curacao international winger, is on loan from Coventry City until the end of the season. Midfielder McEneff moved from Shamrock Rovers in a six-figure transfer deal.

Manager Robbie Neilson spoke to the Evening News to explain how he intends to use the two new recruits.

“They will be involved at Ayr, whether they start is a different story,” he said. “Kastaneer hasn’t played a lot of games but has been in full training all season. McEneff has done very little training since early December.

“Both of them were out doing extra training work yesterday so we will see where they are over the next couple of days. They aren’t far off it but we will need to wait and see if they’re ready to start.

“I see McEneff as a traditional midfielder who gets about from box to box. I wouldn’t say he’s particularly and attacking midfielder or a defensive one. He’s a bit of everything and he will bring energy to the team.

“I see Gervane as an out-and-out wide player. He is a typical Dutch 4-3-3 winger who stands out on the touchline and goes at people one versus one. He will bring that width for us, plus he is a good size and has good experience.

“He’s played for Netherlands Under-21s so you need to be very good technically to play at that level.”

Capturing Kastaneer and McEneff took Hearts’ January incomings to four after the signings of winger Gary Mackay-Steven and striker Armand Gnanduillet.

“We were expecting to do three deals in the month but, with Josh Ginnelly rupturing his hamstring and being ruled out for the season, we had to go and get someone else in that position,” said Neilson.

“We got Kastaneer so that was an unexpected one but the rest were all planned. I feel we’ve done well to get these four targets in.”

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