Islam Chesnokov is inching closer to making his debut for Hearts and manager, Derek McInnes, said the newcomer was “doing great”.
The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss said the 26-year-old player has a brilliant appetite and the Kazakhstan-born forward is desperate to start playing in the first team.
McInnes said the player understands that he has a bit to go, but another week of work will be of benefit to get him up to speed.
The Hearts boss wants players ready to start games, not just play a cameo role and McInnes revealed to Hearts Standard that he has had a similar conversation with Ugandan player, Rogers Mato, another new signing, and the preparatory work being put in is because the players have not been playing regularly recently.
There is, said the head coach, a lot expected of them and he hopes the duo can make an impact between now and the end of the season.
McInnes also opened up on his views on the departure of teenage striker James Wilson to London-based Spurs on loan with a buy option.
The head coach said he did not want the one-cap Scotland international to go south, but he did not want to keep a player who is unhappy. McInnes could not guarantee him minutes.
He urged Wilson (pictured in training with Cammy Devlin) to stay and be part of something and suggested a loan spell in Scotland, then he added: “I don’t think it is the right move for him. Ultimately, it is academy football and he is better than that.”
