Hearts have a very decent pool of players to pick from right now, so they should look to send some youngsters out on loan for valuable game time.
The Jambos are currently joint-bottom of the Premiership after a difficult start to the season. They’ve not had it easy, with trips away to Aberdeen and Celtic proving tricky challenges for the Jambos.
A run of three home games from five matches should see them pick up some valuable points. Whether youngsters are thrown into the mix is another question.
The likes of Aaron Hickey and Andy Irving are thriving in the first-team right now. Others, however, are having to bide their time and wait for a chance in the senior side.
Some would be better going out on loan though and here are four starlets we think would benefit from that option.
Bobby Burns
The Northern Irishman featured a handful of times at left-back last season, although he doesn’t really have a defined position. The 19-year-old has managed just one appearance so far this term.
The left-back position isn’t viable with Aaron Hickey and Aidy White at the club and he isn’t strong enough for the midfield yet.
He was out on loan for a period at Livingston last season. Perhaps a similar loan or a drop to the Championship would help him discover where he fits best, as well as the added bonus of regular minutes.
Harry Cochrane
After bursting onto the scene a couple of seasons ago, injury has curtailed Cochrane’s progress. Fellow youngster Andy Irving is ahead of him in the pecking order now and Cochrane has to discover some form.
A recent report suggested he was in the Queen of the South end for their match against Ayr, leading to speculation over a loan move (Evening Times). That would be a great move for him, as he’d play regular minutes in a very competitive Championship.
We all know Cochrane has potential, he just needs time to realise it.
Kevin Silva
After a loan spell in Toronto last term, Silva is now back at Hearts. The goalkeeper is fourth-choice though after the arrival of Joel Pereira.
He is only a loanee though and fellow Jambo stoppers Colin Doyle and Zdenek Zlamal have looked unconvincing. A loan spell may help Silva prove he can become the number one in Gorgie sometime soon.
Aidan Keena
After a promising loan spell at Dunfermline last season, Keena returned to Gorgie looking to make his first-team breakthrough.
It hasn’t quite happened for him though and now finds himself quite far down the pecking order at Tynecastle.
Another Championship loan move may help him find a scoring touch again before making another case for the Jambos senior side.