Hearts will loan Mark Ridgers out next term

• Mark Ridgers

Ridgers, 19, played four times during a loan spell with East Fife last season but suffered while at Riccarton due to the absence of an SPL reserve league. Coaching staff are keen that his development as one of Scotland's best young goalkeepers is not stunted, so he will be farmed out to gain more top-team experience.

With Kello close to signing a new deal to remain at Tynecastle, manager Jim Jefferies expects an intriguing contest between the three first-team keepers.

"With no reserve league, I think it's important you keep a third goalie in case one gets injured," he said. "You always have to take three with you on a Saturday so there will be good competition for places. They will all start on an even keel at the start of the season. You can only play one but you do need the three of them. Mark Ridgers has not played a lot. He will get over his injury and then we'll look to try and get him some experience by putting him out on loan."

Part of Hearts' pre-season preparations will involve a trip to London to face Millwall at the New Den in a testimonial for striker Neil Harris. The 32-year-old is Millwall's all-time leading goalscorer with 135 goals having surpassed Teddy Sheringham's total of 111. He recently made his 400th appearance for the club against Huddersfield.

"They are good opposition and we were delighted to be able to help out Neil with this fixture," said Billy Brown, Hearts' assistant manager. "We hope to arrange maybe one or two other friendlies in due course and things are shaping up nicely. We are at Dunfermline before heading to London and play Wolves when we get back."