Hearts lose Liam Boyce and Michael Smith but Ben Garuccio should return for season starting

Key players missing for first three games
Liam Boyce will miss Hearts' first three games along with Michael Smith.Liam Boyce will miss Hearts' first three games along with Michael Smith.
Liam Boyce will miss Hearts' first three games along with Michael Smith.

Hearts begin their competitive season on Tuesday night without first-choice striker Liam Boyce and key defender Michael Smith, who are both on international duty.

The pair are in Northern Ireland’s squad and will miss all three of their club’s Betfred Cup ties this month – Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Tuesday, Cowdenbeath on Saturday and Raith Rovers three days later.

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Smith and Boyce will also miss the final Betfred group match at East Fife in November if they are again called upon by their country.

Northern Ireland play Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday in a European Championship play-off semi-final. They then face Nations League ties against Austria on Sunday and Norway the following Wednesday.

Boyce and Smith are due to return to Edinburgh next Thursday, October 15, just 24 hours before Hearts’ opening league game against Dundee at Tynecastle Park.

Craig Wighton is poised to deputise in attack during international fortnight, with young full-backs Jamie Brandon and Cammy Logan vying to replace Smith.

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“We are missing Boyce and Smith for the next three games because of internationals, so we need to deal with it,” said manager Robbie Neilson.

“We will send some younger players out on loan but we need to keep a few of them here until after that.”

Neilson reported more positive news with left-back Ben Garuccio likely to be available to face Inverness. Recent signing Mihai Popescu may start at centre-back alongside Craig Halkett despite lacking fitness.

The Romanian played 45 minutes of Friday’s friendly win at Partick Thistle. Garuccio and fellow left-back Aidy White sat out as a precaution.

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“We don’t have a lot of options at centre-half,” explained Neilson. “Peter Haring is still on his way back in that position so it will likely be the two of them [Popescu and Halkett]. It just depends whether Popescu is fit enough for it.

“Garuccio had tightness in his thigh in training on Thursday so we didn’t see the point in taking a risk with him against Partick.

“Aidy had a back spasm and is just returning. He did some training last week but, again, we just felt Friday was a wee bit too early.

“I would definitely expect Garuccio back for Tuesday. It might be a wee bit too soon for White but we’ll see how he is.”

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Neilson used teenage right-back Cammy Logan at left-back against Thistle after handing him a new three-year contract.

Scottish League One and League Two clubs have approached Hearts to take the youngster on loan, but Neilson is toying with keeping him in the Riccarton first-team squad.

“Cammy was great against Partick but going into competitive games it’s important we have boys who have a bit of experience,” said the manager.

“I really like Cammy. He has good athleticism, he’s a good size, gets up and down the pitch and works hard. He has a lot of attributes for a full-back and I’m pleased he has signed a new deal.

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“The decision over the next couple of weeks will be whether we keep him or put him out on loan. We’ve had a few teams interested.

“League One and League Two clubs are looking at him but I think he can play in the Championship. I’m swaying towards keeping him round about the squad.”

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