Michael Ngoo feels Hearts pain

The giant striker last night told SunSport he’ll never forget his four months at Tynecastle.

Ngoo also spoke of his fears for the Jambos — and how he deserately hopes they can survive another huge financial crisis.

Ngoo’s Reds future is on the line with only a year left of his contract, but he believes being a loan Jambo has given him a chance of reviving his Anfield hopes under Brendan Rodgers.

Ngoo has been told he will be part of the first team squad’s pre-season tour of Australia.

The 6ft 6in youngster said: “I loved my time at Hearts and I’ll always be thankful for it.

“I needed to play regular first-team football and I got that in Scotland.

“Hearts is a great club and they gave me an amazing experience.

“I was able to play and score in a cup semi-final. Then, of course, there was the final at Hampden.

“It was a massive disappointment that we lost, but the experience was invaluable for me.

“To get the goal against Inverness at Easter Road was a great moment and the Hearts fans gave me brilliant backing.

“I can’t thank them enough. They are in my heart. Wherever my career takes me, I’ll always remember them.

“I played for England at youth level, I signed for Liverpool — and playing for Hearts in the SPL is up there with it all.

“I wasn’t in Scotland for long, but there are so many good people at Hearts, the supporters are amazing, and everyone else was so friendly.”

Ngoo didn’t hesitate to join Hearts in January — after watching their outstanding performance at Anfield five months earlier in the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie.

David Templeton gave the Jambos the lead with only five minutes left — but, agonisingly, Luis Suarez netted an equaliser and Hearts went out 2-1 on aggregate having lost the first leg 1-0.

Ngoo — who signed for Liverpool at 16 in a £250,000 deal from Southend — said: “You couldn’t help but be impressed with Hearts that night. The team played extremely well and I loved their fans.

“I knew they were a big club, so it was an easy decision for me.

“Now I’m worried for everyone — I really hope they can emerge from their current problems.

“The players there are good, young, anxious to do well and very professional. I thought Gary Locke was a top man and good manager.

“He knows how he wants Hearts to play and he is so passionate about the club.

“It is just unfortunate that the finances are not great and his hands are tied, but I wish him and the boys all the best.”

Now Ngoo is fired up to capitalise on his time in the SPL. He said: “The experience made me a better player and I go back to Liverpool with more confidence.

“I still believe in myself to make it at the club — but it will be up to Brendan Rodgers.

“I know he kept an eye on how I was doing at Hearts. He sent me a good luck message before the League Cup Final against St Mirren.

“I was grateful for that. It was kind of him and gave me a boost.

“It showed me that he was aware of what I was doing in Scotland.”