The latest from the rumour mill suggests that Hearts are closing in on aggressive, attack-minded Columbian defender Andres Salazar from Athletico National to add to their new-look squad for the Premiership campaign which starts at Tynecastle on Saturday with the visit of Rangers.
The fixture comes on the back of a 3-0 reverse to EFL League One side Fleetwood Town in Lancashire last Saturday and challenge match defeats by Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur.
Furthermore, Rangers have won eight of the last ten meetings between the clubs, according to BBC Sports Scotland, with the Ibrox side scoring 26 goals with seven in reply.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement will be keen to get off to a flyer having finished second to Old Firm rivals, Celtic, last season by eight points and the men who run out onto the pitch at Tynecastle (kick-off 12.30) will have some new faces including winger Vaclav Cerny on loan from German side Wolfsburg and Dutch defender Robin Propper who arrived on an undisclosed fee from FC Twente, a club which finished third in the Eredivise last term. He is Rangers’ ninth summer signing.
Steven Naismith (pictured), Hearts’ head coach, has been watching the comings and goings at Ibrox but does not feel that their style will change and he added: “Rangers have and experienced manager who understands the game. We will go into the game looking to cause them problems.”
Fans should be aware that pre-match and post-match a mobile barrier will be in place on McLeod Street outside the away turnstyles.
This, say Hearts, is to ensure that the crowd can safely enter and exit the stadium and at full-time Hearts fans will be directed to Gorgie Road and Rangers fans to Russell Road.
Turnstyles will be open at 11.30am and fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid queuing and ease the flow.
All turnstyles have been upgraded and the unmanned ones now feature a front-facing reader that is compatible with season ticket cards, match tickets and for scanning digital tickets via smartphone or electronic devices.
A spokesman said: “Simply hold your season card/ticket in front of the reader to scan the QR code/barcode, wait for the go-ahead and push your way through.
Searching is a condition of entry and refusal to co-operate will result in refused entry.
Meanwhile, Lewis Neilson has signed a one-year extension to his contract. He has been loaned out for the season to St Johnstone and the club’s Premier Sports Cup second round tie at Falkirk has been confirmed for Saturday, August 17 (3pm).
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