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Development League Under-20 games are being switched from Stenhousemuir to the club’s Edinburgh training base in a move certain to please supporters.

Since 2015, Hearts Under-20s have used Stenhousemuir’s Ochilview Park as their home venue but that arrangement has now ended. The construction of a stand – set to accommodate around 400 spectators – will allow all Hearts youth fixtures to take place within the Riccarton training complex which is part of the Oriam sports performance centre.

The stand, delivered as a partnership between Oriam, the SFA, sportscotland and FIFA will be used by all Oriam tenants. A dual rake set-up means the stand will service both the ‘Hampden’ and outdoor 3G pitch at Riccarton.

A small stand is being constructed at Riccarton

Oriam’s full-size indoor astrodome, which also seats 500 fans, offers a back-up facility in case of inclement weather.

“Once the whole thing is finished, we plan to play all our home youth games at Oriam. We have finished playing at Stenhousemuir unless an emergency arises,” confirmed Hearts manager Craig Levein.

“The Stenhousemuir arrangement was good and worked well for us because we still have one of our youth development centres there. We can still go back there for a one-off game if we need to.

“If we play youth games at our training ground, it’s just easier without needing to travel. Also, you must have a stand in place for it to be classed as a venue for development matches.

“Clubs get compensated by the SFA if you play at a recognised venue, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Hearts have earned widespread plaudits recently for promoting youth academy players to their first team. So far, ten teenagers have played for the senior side this season.

Fans eager to watch the next generation of academy graduates before they reach first-team level will now be able to do so much closer to home.

Hearts to play Under-20 matches at Riccarton in front of new stand