Full strength ahead

Gary Locke has revealed he has a full strength squad to take over the water to Northern Ireland for the Belfast Tournament.

The Jambos will line up against Crusaders on Thursday night before taking on Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, and the manager has, for the first time this pre-season, everyone at his disposal.

Speaking exclusively to Hearts News, Gary said: "We're really pleased that we've got a clean bill of health. We'll take a travelling squad of 22. Danny Wilson and Callum Paterson are now training fully with the squad so touch wood, that's going to be the case until the first game of the season and it would be great to have the two of them back and involved at the weekend.

"We've got a first team squad of 21, with three 'keepers, so all of these boys will go because we've not got anyone else. But it's great, we've got a close-knit squad and we'll go over there for a couple of days and we can spend every day with each other. It's good to get away for a few days and we're looking forward to the games.

"Hopefully we can get the boys who have been injured, Danny and Callum, playing and get them a bit of game time and they'll put themselves into recognition for the opening league game against St Johnstone."

Hearts World