Hearts round off Tuscan tour with win over Barga

Published on Friday 16 July 2010 17:26

Hearts put the finishing touches to their week-long training camp in Italy with a 2-1 victory over a Barga XI yesterday.

Eggert Jonsson and Gordon Smith scored the goals in a match played in baking heat in Tuscanny. Manager Jim Jefferies used the game to give a run-out to his full squad, making nine changes at half time.

Included among the substitutes was 17-year-old Jason Holt who almost scored after a fine run and shot from 20 yards.

Meanwhile, Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald says he is looking to start the new season in the same way as he ended the last - as Jefferies' No 1.

The former Scotland Under-21 internationalist made eight successive appearances as Hearts brought the curtain down on a disappointing campaign that saw them finish sixth in the SPL.

MacDonald's bid to establish himself as the recognised shot-stopper has been hampered by injury in the past but he is determined to prove to Jefferies during pre-season that he should be given the gloves for the visit of St Johnstone on August 14.

The 24-year-old, who faces competition from Marian Kello and Janos Balogh, said: "I thought I did pretty well so hopefully I can carry on and start the season.

"Hopefully I can get a good pre-season under my belt. I am looking forward to the friendly games. That's why you play football, it's the games you look forward to and it will be good to get that in the next couple of weeks."