Hearts ask fans not to attend Riccarton as players prepare for pre-season training

Eight-week programme is about to begin for first-team squad

The Hearts squad will begin pre-season training on Monday.

Hearts are asking fans not to attend the club’s training base at Riccarton when pre-season sessions begin as players cannot come into contact with members of the public.

Coronavirus guidelines mean posing for photographs or signing autographs will be prohibited and supporters have been told the squad cannot engage in that way.

Hearts start an eight-week pre-season programme on Monday when new manager Robbie Neilson welcomes players back to the Oriam complex for the first time since March.

They will undergo coronavirus tests twice a week as well as some rigorous fitness exercises to prepare them for the 2020/21 campaign.

The Edinburgh club are scheduled to begin playing competitive matches in early October in the Betfred Cup, with the Championship season kicking off on the 17th of the month.

After an arbitration hearing concluded that they will remain in Scotland’s second tier, Neilson is ready to get going on the training field.

“I’m delighted that we’re now on the verge of returning to training,” Neilson told the official Hearts website.

“A lot of hard work has gone into preparing for every outcome of the arbitration process, but now that is over we can fully focus on getting everyone back in, get them fit and be in a position to start winning games of football.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the players and working with them. There are some big talents in there and we need to all be pulling in the same direction, which I know we will.

“There is a lot to be excited about this season. Not getting to play in front of our fans is blow but it’ll be all the sweeter when we get to run out in front of them once its safe for everyone to return to stadiums.

“For the next eight-weeks it’s about working hard and being in the best shape possible come October.”

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