Hearts add EFL opposition to pre-season schedule as preparations for new season ramp up

Hearts have confirmed their latest pre-season fixture ahead of a big season in the capital.

English League outfit Crawley Town will make the trip to Tynecastle next Saturday [July 16] in a match that Under-13s can attend for FREE. The League Two side will make the trip to Gorgie for a 1pm kick-off as Robbie Neilson's men bid to add further minutes in the legs ahead of the new Premiership campaign kicking off at the end of the month.

Hearts also have a European adventure to prepare for with the Jambos entering the Europa League play-off round and just potentially 180 minutes from reaching the group stages. They have the safety cushion of knowing they will drop into the Europa Conference League proper should they lose at this stage with Euro fixtures guaranteed up until Christmas. The capital club have been in Spain for a warm weather training camp before taking on a number of friendly fixtures. Euan Henderson's solo strike made it three wins from three friendly outings with a 1-0 win over Spartans last night.

Neilson and Co face Bonnyrigg Rose this coming weekend before a trip to Tranmere Rovers next Wednesday night. Crawley Town then make the trip to the capital before another away day in England against Preston North End on Wednesday July 20.

Gary Locke's testimonial with a game against Stoke City at home ends the pre-season schedule with the Premiership season kicking off with a home game against Ross County.

A club statement read: "Hearts will welcome Crawley Town to Tynecastle Park for a pre-season friendly on July 16th in a match that under 13s will be able to attend for free.

"The English League Two side will travel to Gorgie a week on Saturday to face Robbie Neilson’s Europe-bound Jam Tarts a week on