Europa FC 0-4 Hearts: New signings start well during first match in Spain

Every available new signing took part with the exception of Kye Rowles, the Australian defender who is still on an extended summer break. No fans were allowed inside the pitch perimeter as the new recruits got to work.

Alan Forrest etched his name on the scoresheet twice from a right wing-back role in the second half. He looked energetic and keen to attack at pace whenever the opportunity arose.

Equally impressive was Jorge Grant in midfield. He frequently got on the ball and tried to carry it forward with the ability to evade opponents in the process. The former Peterborough midfielder never looked stressed in possession and used his feet to move around with the ball until an opening transpired. He did pick up a yellow card off the ball, persumably for dissent.

Alex Cochrane at left wing-back simply continued where he left off from last season’s loan spell at Tynecastle. The young Englishman galloped up and down the flank and combined with team-mates to produce some decent first-half crosses.

On the right of a three-man defence, Lewis Neilson showed composure in possession even in tight areas and refused to become flustered as he tried to distribute from the back. He was the only new face to play 90 minutes.

Europa didn’t present the strongest of challenges, however the heat was a leveller to some extent. Hearts didn’t allow it to deter them as their week-long stay on the Costa del Sol nears an end.

This was the first of seven friendly fixtures for the Edinburgh club before competitive action begins in earnest against Ross County on July 30. Europa start their Europa Conference League campaign next week against Faroese side Vikingur.

Temperatures pitchside at Hearts’ Spanish resort hit 30 degrees but those in maroon