ROBBIE NEILSON has revealed his offer of close-season training facilities has already been taken up by a handful of Hearts players eager to hit the ground running next term.
The Tynecastle head coach has returned from his own holiday and is back at the club's Riccarton base to plan ahead for life back in the Premiership.
The Gorgie outfit have devised a training schedule that includes sessions that are compulsory for the club's youth players but optional for those in the first-team squad.
And, with Scottish football not due to bring the curtain down on the club campaign until Sunday, there has already been a take-up from those wanting to make an impression next season - and from a couple who will not be around to enjoy the fruits of the recent promotion.
Neilson explained: "Billy King has been in, Jason Holt (who is out of contract) has been in, Jack Hamilton was in and Brad McKay as well, even though he's leaving (for St Johnstone). The facilities are still open for them.
"You get boys who are away on holiday and will come in next week or the week after. Generally, they go away and after about two or three weeks they get bored sitting about the house and they want to come back in.
"It's important the players are ready for next season. I don't want them to go away and down tools for six or seven weeks.
"They have to make sure they keep themselves ticking over for when they come back for pre-season. That way, the hard sessions won't be such a big thing for them.
"They all understand that and thankfully they've got the facilities here to come and do it instead of having to do it themselves."
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