Rangers' Chris Hegarty: administration could be making of young Hearts team

Rangers youngster Chris Hegarty believes Hearts administration crisis could be the making of many of the Jambos' fresh-faced recruits.

The 20-year-old Northern Irishman went through the nightmare of Rangers' own demise into insolvency last summer and admitted he feared he would end up out of a job.

But along with the likes of Barry MacKay, Lewis MacLeod and Andy Little, he formed part of a youthful spine that helped the Ibrox club recover from its darkest hour to claim the Irn-Bru Third Division title.

Hearts have already been forced to rely on the likes of Callum Tapping, Jamie Walker and Kevin McHattie after cash restraints bit into their playing budget.

But now with the Tynecastle club on the verge of administration, defender Hegarty says the young players could soon find themselves being the men of the house.

He said: "A lot of the younger boys (at Hearts) got a lot of first-team experience last season. It won't be as hard on them as it would have been if they were getting thrown into the deep end straight away.

"The younger lads have got to take it as a positive. They will have to grow up fast and learn fast.

"It could be good for the club in the long term, with some good young boys coming through. I wish them all the best. It won't be easy for them."

Hegarty was out of contract with the Glasgow giants when they sank into liquidation last summer.

But the full-back - who had yet to make a first-team appearance at that stage - was handed a new deal when the club was reformed as a newco.

Now he says the only way the Hearts players will be able to cope with the uncertainty is to make their on-pitch activities their sole focus.

"I feel for the Hearts lads. It's not an easy position to be in," he said.

"I'm sure they will be in the same boat as we were last year. Everyone just tried to concentrate on their football. All you can do is your own job.

"You will obviously be worried about yourself but I'm sure everything will be alright and I wish them all the best.

"It's not easy being in that situation. That's why you have to concentrate on your football. Let everyone else worry about the other stuff. It's not easy thinking you are going to lose your job."

And Hegarty urged his Tynecastle counterparts to put their faith in the officials from the players' union.

He said: "The PFA came in all the time and were always speaking to us. If we needed anything, they were always there for us.

"If you were in trouble or needed anyone to speak to, they were there for you. If you were worried, they would keep you right."

Taken from the Herald