McCann is raring to enter fray

NEIL McCann has declared himself fit and ready for the start of Hearts' maiden Champions League campaign next Wednesday, but the understandably impatient winger must wait to see if the club's backroom staff agree with him.

Valdas Ivanauskas, the Hearts head coach, earlier this week all but dismissed the prospect of McCann being available for the first leg of the second qualifying round tie against Bosnian champions Siroki Brijeg at Murrayfield. The Scotland international, however, made a surprise substitute appearance in Wednesday night's 2-0 friendly win over Osasuna, his first outing since sustaining a serious knee injury just a few minutes into his second 'debut' for the club at Kilmarnock in January following his move from Southampton.

McCann received a huge ovation from the Hearts supporters in the near 19,000-crowd at Murrayfield and said: "It gave me goosebumps. I'd like to think I have a great relationship with the Hearts fans and that was special. It's been a horrible time for me since January but Wednesday just blew it all away.

"I'd been nagging Valdas for a few days to be involved and it felt great to be out there. Next week's game isn't too soon as far as I'm concerned, but it's up to the coaching staff to see if they feel I'm ready.

"I have so much lost time to make up for. I have been working my proverbials off and I can't ease off now.

"The physios have been holding me back and I have been a good boy so far, but it's time to push on now."

Taken from the Scotsman