McCann can

HEARTS winger Neil McCann has revealed that he will start on the road to recovery from his ankle injury in a fortnight when he resumes light training for the first time since surgery.

Although he will initially be limited to sessions in the pool, that will gradually be increased over the next few weeks and he has set himself a target date of July 12 to return to full training. McCann has been absent since January after playing on 24 minutes of his second debut for Hearts. He suffered knee ligament damage and then damaged his ankle whilst recovering from it. "I'm feeling good right now, the surgeon is really pleased but he knows the type of person I am," admits McCann.

"I always want to push that wee bit harder so he has told me to get the reins on a bit and just be careful, take my time.

"I've got July 12 as my date for starting full training again, that's 12 weeks to the day since my operation, so at least I have a target now and I'm focusing on that. By then I hope to be back all guns blazing, block tackles, working on crosses, all that sort of thing.

"I've still got a leg brace on that restricts me from going outwith certain ranges of movement. That needs to be on for a six-week period after the operation and that is vital for recovery, although I will be able to lose the crutches next week.

"I've still got two weeks of the brace and it is difficult, but I'm trying to be good and follow all of the doctor's advice because I'm looking forward to getting back to full fitness."

As the summer looms, Hearts fans may be inclined to think of possible new arrivals as the club's majority shareholder, Vladimir Romanov, prepares to strengthen the squad for an assault on the Champions League.

After recruiting an astonishing 11 players during January's transfer window, Romanov is aware that further investment is required if Hearts are to attain the lofty status he desires for them.

Interim head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has already drawn up a list of targets with Romanov. His assistant John McGlynn fully understands the intrigue surrounding the summer activities of the club in the transfer market and believes that to be a pivotal reason for Ivanauskas' desire to prove himself to Romanov as capable management material.

"Hearts have caught everyone's imagination this season," said McGlynn. "Crowds are up and everything is on the up, so I think anyone would want to part of that. You can let your imagination go and think about Mr Romanov spending a lot of money in the summer and bringing in even better quality players to take the club to a completely new level.

"You would want to be part of that, no matter who you are. I think Valdas is thinking along these lines. He is very focused, he tries to stay reserved on the touchline but I think you saw after the final whistle against Aberdeen how pleased he was and how much it means to him. He wants to stay here."

Taken from the Scotsman