Hearts striker Gordon Smith set to face Rotherham after recovery from illness

HEARTS striker Gordon Smith is expected to make his first pre-season appearance when the Edinburgh club visit Rotherham United tomorrow. The 21-year-old is poised to play in the final summer friendly having missed matches against Raith Rovers, Falkirk and Dunfermline through illness.

Smith was hospitalised with a severe case of tonsilitis earlier this month, which precluded him from Hearts’ friendly matches in Scotland and he will be eager for game time against The Millers before the SPL season begins.

“We’re delighted that we don’t have any injuries. That gives us a selection problem, but that’s nice to have,” said manager John McGlynn. Darren Barr is also scheduled to feature tomorrow after overcoming a virus and McGlynn is anticipating a stern encounter at the New York Stadium. “I’m looking for a bit more of a test,” he admitted after travelling south to watch Rotherham face Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday evening. “They have the option to go with two big strikers, or one big and one small. They also have the lad (Kari) Arnason, who played with Aberdeen last year and who has a long throw. So they play the ball into the box at any opportunity.

“We can also cause them problems. It was nice to get a look at them. This is a good opportunity to go and test 
ourselves against different opposition.”

Fans travelling to Rotherham should leave the M1 at junction 34. Take the fourth exit and travel along Sheffield Road towards Rotherham. The stadium is situated on Main Street but coaches should park just off Centenary Way – the Rotherham bypass – on Brinsworth Street.