Youngsters handed new Hearts deals

HEARTS have handed new one-year contracts to teenage defenders Kevin McHattie and Brad McKay in the hope that both could make an impact at first-team level next season.

McHattie and McKay, both 19, will be eligible for the new under-20 league which begins after the summer but will also hope to impose themselves at senior level if possible.

They have been an integral part of the Hearts under-19 squad for the last two years, helping Darren Murray’s youth team to second place in the SPL under-19 league this season.

McHattie has already made his first-team debut having played as a substitute against Aberdeen at Tynecastle last August. He is a specialist left-back who should provide a challenge to Danny Grainger.

McKay is yet to taste senior football but is highly regarded by coaching staff at Riccarton. His favoured position is centre-back.