Craig Levein to pick Hearts team despite health scare

Levein was taken to hospital on Monday morning and will be absent for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash but he is progressing well.

Assistant manager Austin MacPhee - who will take control during Saturday’s game - said: “He’s recovering well. He’s home now and he’s in very good spirits and we are all delighted that that’s the case.

Hearts assistant Austin MacPhee, right, will stand on the sidelines but manager Craig Levein will continue to pick the team. Picture: SNS

“Craig will pick the team at the weekend.”

MacPhee added: “It was a massive shock for us all. (Owner) Ann Budge phoned me on Monday morning and when you first hear news about someone you are close to, it’s shocking news.

“The best thing is that a couple of hours later we had positive news and he was already on the road to recovery. He’ll be back as soon as he can.”

Hearts re-signed Demetri Mitchell on loan on Tuesday and are bidding to bring Dundee forward Craig Wighton to Tynecastle and Levein has been involved with MacPhee and owner Ann Budge during a busy week ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.

“I have been speaking to him every day and working with Ann on the transfers,” MacPhee said. “He is fully abreast on all the developments.”