HEARTS must revamp their first-team squad this summer in order to restore the club to a challenging position within the SPL, according to interim manager Stephen Frail.
Majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov has stressed a willingness to develop youthful academy products in the near future. However, Frail stressed that recruiting experienced campaigners is essential to augment the burgeoning youngsters at Riccarton.
The interim manager labelled Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock as "apathetic" and, following last Monday's loss at Falkirk, hopes the Tynecastle hierarchy will permit some serious surgery to the side over the close season.
Although particularly short on strikers at present, Frail conceded that all areas of the side require improvement.
"I think there's an overhaul of the whole squad needed," he said. "That doesn't mean bringing in bundles of players because we've done that before. Those who do come in must enhance the young lads we have because it's difficult out there for the kids.
"I thought young Jason Thomson acquitted himself quite well on Saturday. Gary Glen was a doubt on the morning of the game and, after 55 minutes, the physio wanted me to take him off. He was cramping up because he has a real problem with his calf, but I had to leave him on to try and get something from the match.
"We need players who can come in and help these lads develop. I think we need to freshen up in pretty much most areas. Hopefully we'll be allowed to do that."
Frail is encouraged by the squad's reaction since he assumed the role of caretaker manager on January 1 this year. "The on-field discipline has improved a lot since then," he continued. "I've got a reaction from them and that's all I wanted.
"From January until the split we were sitting third in terms of form. I'd like to think that's down to something I've done but it's also because of what the players done.
"We're disappointed to lose the last two games because we wanted to win them, but there was an apathy about Saturday's performance. Now we have to get a victory over Gretna tomorrow night."
Meanwhile, Romanov sent a tribute to Robbie Neilson yesterday as the defender enjoyed a memorable testimonial match between the current Hearts team and a select side from the club's 1998 and 2006 Scottish Cup- winning sides.
Romanov said: "Few modern players give the loyalty and commitment to their club that you have with Heart of Midlothian. You have captained Hearts, won a Scottish Cup winner's medal, played for Scotland at international level, scored a UEFA Cup game winning goal."
The Evening News can reveal that Julien Brellier did not appear in Neilson's game because he missed his flight to Edinburgh from Switzerland.
The full article contains 470 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
