Why Hearts boss Robbie Neilson is disappointed at the continued suspension of the lower leagues

Harry Cochrane and Connor Smith are on loan at Montrose and Cove Rangers respectively. Picture: SNS

It was confirmed earlier in the week that League 1 and 2 won’t be back this month with another review set to take place at the beginning of March.

The club have a number of players out on loan to clubs below the Championship.

The likes of Harry Cochrane, Cammy Logan, Connor Smith and Chris Hamilton were all expected to get more first-team football and vital experience in the third and fourth tiers.

Currently, however, some have been brought back to train with the first-team.

“We've got a number of them that have committed to go out on loan," Neilson said. “They were training in a group beside us but we've brought a few of them back in with us again because we are not sure when that's going to kick off.

"It's really disappointing for their development as players.

"One of the key things for us in the January window was getting these boys out and getting them playing at a good level, hoping to get 15 to 20 games under their belt before they come back in the summer and push to get into the first-team.

"The way things are going with the lower leagues that is not going to be the case. We just hope they get back playing as quick as they can because we don't have any reserve football.

"There's a number of players who aren't developing the way they should.”

Game knowledge

The players are able to do all the training and gym work they like but at an important stage in their development they are missing out on valuable experiences.

“The guys here are training daily,” Neilson said.

"They are in the gym, it gives them a chance to work on areas they need to improve, strength, pace. But definitely in terms of game knowledge it is difficult for them.

"I'm a great believer in putting them out to lower league teams and get that first-team experience in a dressing room and they are not getting that just now.

"It's been tough for a lot of those boys.”

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