Hearts 3 - 0 Cove Rangers RECAP: Neilson's men make it 2 from 2 in front of 2,000
Robbie Neilson’s men will be looking to make it two wins from two as they continue their preparations ahead of the start of the cinch Premiership at the end of the month when Celtic come to Gorgie.
This evening’s fixture is more than about advancing to the knockout stages of the Premier Sports Cup or players getting minutes under their belt, it’s also about the return of fans to Tynecastle Park.
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Hide AdThe 2,000 in attendance will be the first in nearly 500 days, since Hearts drew 1-1 with Motherwell on March 7.
Despite the loss to Stirling Albion at the weekend, Paul Hartley’s men will pose a threat and are favourites to win League One.
We will have updates throughout the evening with analysis and reaction to follow. The game kicks off at 7.45pm.
Hearts v Cove Rangers: Updates, analysis and reaction from Tynecastle Park
Key Events
- Kick-off 7.45pm
- Team news 6.30pm
- 2,000 fans in attendance
Off the line!
A scare for Hearts. Vigurs plays the ball through to McIntosh. It deflects into his path and he tries to lift it over Gordon but Smith is on hand to hook off the line.
Cove started well
The former Highland League side have settled well and are getting some joy behind the Hearts midfield with Fraser Fyvie.
Hearts need to make sure the wing-backs don’t get pushed back too far.
Paul Hartley: Hearts a top three team
Hearts legend says the club should be aiming for higher than top six.
The Cove Rangers manager reckons the top three is what the club should always be looking for.
“I think they have a good squad there,” he said. “When you are at Hearts, the expectation levels are really high. We talk about top six but for me they are a top three team.”
Reminder! Craig Gordon can create a record
Craig Gordon could make history tonight.
A clean sheet against Cove Rangers will see him keep his ninth consecutive clean sheet for Hearts, breaking Jon McLaughlin’s record.
Hearts XI announced
Robbie Neilson has made two changes from the side which defeated Peterhead 2-0.
Peter Haring and Aaron McEneff drop to the bench with starts for Andy Halliday and Finlay Pollock.
Connor Smith is on the bench, while Armand Gnanduillet misses out once again having had a thigh complaint.
Kevin McKenna returns to Bundesliga side
Former Hearts utility man Kevin McKenna has signed a deal with Bundesliga side FC Koln until 2023.
He will assist new boss Steffen Baumgart.
Mckenna spent four years at Hearts before returning to Energie Cottbus before moving on to Koln where he would play for seven years.
He would go on to coach at the club and take up a role as assistant of the first-team. Now he is back after time at Kaiserslautern.
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