Hearts lost 1-0 at English Championship side Preston North End on Saturday as the Gorgie side continued their pre-season preparations.
A late goal from Garner, following an error from Hearts goalkeeper Neil Alexander, was all that separated the sides.
However, Hearts Head Coach Robbie Neilson was pleased with the afternoon’s work. He told the official Hearts website:
“We try to pass the ball out from the back so we have to accept that mistakes such as the one which lead to the goal will sometimes happen. All in all, however, it was a great workout for and I thought we played really well. We’ve still got a few players to come back in and it’s all about building towards the St Johnstone game. Preston are a good side, they’ve been down in League One and now find themselves in the Championship, so they’re a very physical side. I think the physicality surprised a few of our players as it’s a very different down here compared to up in Scotland. But overall it was a great experience for us.”
Hearts face English Premiership opposition at Tynecastle next weekend when Everton – who lost 3-1 to rivals Arsenal in the Barclay’s Asia Trophy final in Singapore Cup today – visit Gorgie on Sunday.
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
