Kevin McHattie: ‘Gary Locke will lift Hearts’

Kevin McHATTIE believes the enthusiasm and drive of new manager Gary Locke will ensure beleaguered Hearts are able to lift themselves for the remainder of their league ­campaign.

The Hearts players had a few days off in the wake of their League Cup final disappointment against St Mirren last Sunday but the young left-back is adamant they will resume their SPL campaign away to Aberdeen next Saturday fired up and ready to restore some pride and optimism under Locke’s charge.

McHattie said: “We’ll be right up for the rest of the league games – Lockey will have us buzzing for them.”

McHattie is thrilled that the Hearts board opted to hand Locke the reins on a permanent basis on the eve of Sunday’s final and believes that having a man who successfully came through the youth ranks at Tynecastle to look up to will provide inspiration to the ­numerous promising youngsters currently trying to establish themselves in the first team.

The 19-year-old added: “Lockey will be a great manager. He has had experience of coming through as a youngster at Hearts, and gone on to be a club legend at the club, so he’ll help all the young boys here.

“He’s the sort of guy you want to play well for and impress. I don’t want to let him down.”