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Hearts given green light to face non-Covid testing teams in friendly matches

HEARTS have been given the go ahead to play friendlies against non-Covid testing teams.

Under the current guidelines teams carrying out tests in the Return to Football strategy had only been allowed to play against other sides carrying out the same protocols.

That was an issue for the Jambos, as along with the 12 Premiership teams they are the only clubs in Scotland doing so. Robbie Neilson’s men were able to play St Mirren during the international break.

They also faced Premier League sides Sheffield United and Burnley, all testing their players on a regular basis.

But with top flight teams here and down south now back in action they were finding it increasingly hard to source opponents who fit the required criteria.

But the Joint Response Group have given Neilson’s men the green light to face sides who are not carrying out testing — providing they don’t use the same changing rooms when they play.

Neilson and his backroom staff now hope to set up several games with League One and Two sides as they gear up for the Championship season, which starts next month.

Meanwhile, the Jambos gaffer has defended the decision to allow goalkeeper Bobby Zlamal to join St Mirren on an emergency loan.

The Czech moved to Saints on Saturday morning after they saw THREE keepers ruled out because of Covid-19.

Zlamal’s switch drew criticism from Jambos fans, given Saints had taunted Hearts last week by describing Jon Obika, who scored against them last March, as the ‘heart-breaker’.

But Neilson insists the move will benefit Zlamal, giving him the chance to play three top-flight games in a short period.

He said: “This is purely a move for Bobby’s benefit. He’ll get to play three competitive games in a week, against three sides who have started the season well.

“Our training has been first class so far and the lads are doing really well.

“But this is an opportunity for Bobby to get competitive games under his belt early on.

“We have three top-class keepers at Hearts and I want them to be pushing each other.”