Hearts manager Craig Levein has admitted that “it’s hard” trying to get all of his attackers fit and ready ahead of the new league campaign – and believes that Steven MacLean is the only one in a good spot.
Anthony MacDonald and Dario Zanatta started against Cowdenbeath in the League Cup but Levein admits he has work to do with Connor Washington, Jamie Walker and Uche Ikpeazu.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
With more League Cup games to come before the league season gets underway, Levein still faces a tough task getting his forwards prepared.
“It’s hard trying to get all these attackers the game time they need. Anthony and Dario hadn’t played a lot so they started against Cowdenbeath,” Levein told the Evening News.
“I’m quite comfortable with Macca (MacLean) and where he is because he’s had a good pre-season. He’s probably as advanced as anyone, but I need to get Walker and Washington up to speed.
“I also need to get Uche up to speed because he had an injection in his knee recently so he’s not done a lot of the hard work in pre-season.”
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Hearts still have games against Stenhousemuir and East Fife before the league gets underway and it’ll be interesting to see how Levein uses his squad.
The potential arrival of Steven Naismith will add further options to Levein’s squad, although the veteran striker will be behind his team-mates for fitness if he does sign.