There are positives and negatives to take from pre season friendlies. On the plus side it's a chance to experiment, new players get to know old players, youngsters get blooded. Then again, because it's not of a competitive nature (although try telling that to a couple of the sides Hearts faced) it's sometimes hard to judge the team.
There are things that are apparent. We could do with toughening up in defence. Let's hope we beat Hibs to the signing of Falkirk skipper Darren Barr, someone who was terrific against Hearts in the Scottish Cup last season. Versatile, playing as a right back or centre half, the Scottish Internationalist would be ideal.
As would Stephen Hughes. The former Motherwell midfielder now out of contract is a work horse and scored an absolute cracker against us at Tynecastle. Let's push the boat out and snap up one of the most underrated players in the SPL.
Another striker wouldn't go a miss, espeically with Christian Nade struggling to make it for the start of the season. Even although he's a Hibee, Liam Buchanan of Partick Thistle has plenty of potential.
Draw what you want from pre season games. Win or lose it's hard to take them serious. One thing is for certain, it's going to be a long hard season for everyone in the SPL next term. Especially for Hearts as they build on last years third place finish and have a crack at the Europa League.