Hearts test Portuguese trialist

HEARTS ran the rule over Portuguese trialist Rui Baio last night as a young Tynecastle side suffered a pre-season friendly defeat in Germany.

The midfielder featured in the match against BV Cloppenburg and will stay with Hearts during their training stint abroad. Baio made a lively start to his time with the club, landing a booking after seven minutes after a 50-50 tackle.

Earlier, Hearts coach Stephen Frail explained that he would take a look at the player over the next few days. "He came towards the end of last season and he was there for a week or two," Frail said. "He did okay so they have decided to take a look at him at the training camp. He has looked decent."

Hearts looked disjointed in the middle of the park early on and the hosts took full advantage after 16 minutes when Breitemreiter got on the end of a free-kick and glanced a well-angled shot beyond goalkeeper Steve Banks.

Icelandic 18-year-old Eggert Jonsson was playing at the heart of the defence in the absence of
Christophe Berra and he needed to be alert after 36 minutes to cut out another Cloppenberg attack.

Hearts came into the match far more in the second half but were struggling to create many clear-cut chances. And the hosts made them pay by doubling their lead 15 minutes from time thanks to a clever back-heel from Balke.

The visitors did get on the scoresheet five minutes from time, though. Young Romanisn Dimitriu Copil fed under-19 team-mate Branimir Kostadinov, who converted at the back post.

Hearts also have a match against Roth Weiss Essen this evening and Dutch team Heracles on 20 July. The final game of the tour is on 21 July against South African Premiership side Moroka Swallows, who hail from Johannesburg.

Hearts: Banks; Neilson, Jonsson, McGowan, Park; Mackle, Pilibaitis, Baio, Driver; Mole, Makela. Subs: Kurskis, Cesnauskis, Glen, Kostadinov, Copil, Kelly.

Taken from the Scotsman