Josh Ginnelly speaks after joining Hearts on loan from Preston

Neilson gets third new wide man for season ahead

Josh Ginnelly has joined Hearts on loan from Preston. Pic: Heart of Midlothian FC.

Hearts today welcomed their third new winger to Tynecastle Park as Preston North End’s Josh Ginnelly arrived on a season-long loan.

He joins permanent signings Jordan Roberts and Elliott Frear as manager Robbie Neilson added yet more width and pace to his first-team squad.

Ginnelly, 23, has been tracked by Hearts for some time and, although his Preston contract runs until summer 2021, he is not in the plans at Deepdale.

A loan move to Scotland gives him a chance to play as Hearts aim to win this season's Championship title.

He can operate on both flanks and likes to utilise his speed by running at defenders to create scoring chances.

“With the Covid situation, I haven’t actually played football in seven months. I’ve had a conversation with the gaffer and I’ll be getting up to speed,” Ginnelly told the Hearts website.

“He mentioned my pace and said he wants me to express myself, which is massive for a player like myself. Being given a licence to go and express myself, that's when I’m at my best.

“I’m buzzing to get going now. With all the Covid going on, I just want to get my head down now and start playing some football.

“There is no better club to come and do it at. Looking around here, it just seems I’ll fit in. I’ve had conversations with the manager so I’m looking forward to it.

“I came up a couple of weeks ago, had a look around and spoke to the gaffer. That sort of sold it to me straight away, the ambitions of the club.

“I’ve looked into the history of the club and heard a lot about the fans. That’s the most exciting thing I’ve had in quite a few months.

“I like to express myself, excite the fans, put crosses in the box and hopefully add a few goals to my game. That’s something you need to do. I will work hard as well, which is one of the main things.”

Ginnelly added that he has no issue shouldering pressure at Tynecastle Park, with Hearts needing to win promotion at the first attempt.

“You become a footballer for things like that, really,” he said. “The fans are going to demand stuff because they pay their hard-working money to come and watch you play.

“The least they want is hard work. If you can get a win as well, it makes everyone’s weekend.”

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