Jambos prove to be a hit

DAVID HARDIE

HEARTS’ pre-season tour to Vancouver was today hailed as a great success by the British Columbia Soccer Association, organisers telling boss Craig Levein and his players: "You’re welcome back any time."

The Gorgie side brought the curtain down on the trip with a 1-1 draw against Millwall on Saturday at Swangard Stadium, Steven Pressley’s first-half penalty cancelling out Peter Sweeney’s opener.

The Jambos were well received throughout their stay in Canada, with each of their three games - they also faced Canada B and the Pacific Coast All Stars in the International Pacific Soccer Series - attracting decent crowds.

They were due back in Edinburgh today having left a good impression with their hosts, who revealed they would be more than happy to accommodate the Jambos in future years.

"The whole trip has been a terrific success and everything went very well," said Louise Thomas of the BC Soccer Association.

"It was a privilege to have Hearts in Vancouver and we’d have them back in a minute. They presented us with a beautiful Edinburgh crystal bowl and it will take pride of place in our boardroom."

Although soccer trails behind the likes of baseball, ice hockey and American football as a spectator sport in Canada, each game involving Hearts was a sell-out as the public turned out in their droves to see the Jambos in action.

"The crowds were good and hopefully the visit of Hearts and Millwall has been good for the game in British Columbia," added Thomas. Jamie McAllister, meanwhile, reckons Saturday was the hottest day he has experienced as a footballer.

Hearts’ trip to Vancouver has coincided with a heatwave on the west coast of Canada and the clash with Millwall was staged under a baking hot sun in the Swangard Stadium.

"That was the hottest temperatures I have ever played in," he said. "It was humid, the sun was beating down and I thought the guys put in terrific shift.

"The trip has been a great success all round. We didn’t come here for a holiday. We came here to work hard and that is what we did.

"It was good for me to get away with the lads and get to know them a bit better and that has helped me settle in a bit more so it was well worth it for me personally.

"It also gave us the chance to work on how the gaffer wants us to play this season. We had three games in nine days and I thought the performances were good."

He added: "I had a great year last season with Livingston but hopefully I can top that with Hearts this season. I have to look forward now and concentrate on my career at Tynecastle. I want to establish myself in the team, keep working hard and hopefully achieve things with Hearts.

"We have to believe we can beat the Old Firm and our aim is to finish as far up the league as we can and challenge for the cups."

Taken from the Scotsman