Fans have vital role to play

Manager Gary Locke has stressed that a good start to the new season is imperative - and says the Hearts fans have a vital role to play when the curtain goes up on the SPFL campaign at Tynecastle.

The gaffer has been pleased with the progress shown in pre-season - the Jambos followed up Saturday's win over Dunfermline with a thumping 5-0 victory against Raith Rovers last night - but he knows that hitting the ground running is all that matters once the serious action gets under way.

The Edinburgh side's first three home games are all crackers, with Hibs first up on Sunday, August 11 (12.05pm), followed by Aberdeen on Saturday, August 24 (3pm) and then Celtic on Saturday, September 14 (3pm).

A packed Tynecastle on each of these occasions will be a real asset for the team and while recognising the magnificent effort of the supporters in buying season tickets in recent weeks, Gary has urged those fans who cannot afford one, to look at attending on a match by match basis to help the club.

"The supporters have been absolutely fantastic with what they have done so far," the boss told Hearts News.

"It has been an incredible effort, as I knew it would be.

"But season tickets cost a lot of money, money which not everyone has at their disposal.

"In that case, I would ask all supporters who feel they cannot afford to buy a season ticket to buy a match ticket instead. We have three huge league games coming up at Tynecastle at the start of the season and it would be great to see as many Hearts fans as possible coming to the games.

"We start the season on minus 15 points so every point we can gain is vital and the fans have to realise they can play a really important part in helping the team get off to a good start."

For Category A games against Hibs and Celtic, adults can attend for as little as £28, with the Aberdeen clash costing from £18.

Hearts World