Hearts B head coach Liam Fox admits he’s keen for his side to finish the season on a high, as they prepare to face Celtic B at the Excelsior Stadium on Friday night, in their final Lowland League match of the season.
Last weekend’s victory over Bo’ness United secured a second place finish for the Wee Jambos and while Fox himself explains he is more interested in the development of the players, it is an impressive achievement for his young players.
“We’re delighted with that, but for me personally, it’s never been about where we finish in the Lowland League, it’s more about the development of the players throughout the course of the season,” Fox told the Official Hearts Website.
“But for the players themselves, it’s a great achievement. We have had to work extremely hard, we have faced a lot of different challenges and tough games throughout the season, so I am really pleased with where we have managed to finish up.”
The men in maroon are the form team in the division right now, but tonight’s opponents have also been on a fantastic run and prior to last weekend’s surprise defeat to East Stirlingshire, the young Hoops had been unbeaten in 2024.
It finished 6-4 to Shire at the Falkirk Stadium last weekend and with only league winners East Kilbride having scored more goals than Hearts and Celtic, tonight’s game should provide plenty of entertainment.
“We’ve won eight games in a row, which is a great record to have, but we still have one game to go. What makes this week easier is the fact we are playing against a very, very good opponent in the shape of Celtic.
“They have some top young players, and they will be motivated, as they themselves have been on an excellent run recently. It’s a game we’re looking forward to, the season finishes on Friday for us, we want to finish on a high and make it nine wins on the bounce, but we know how difficult that is going to be.
“You can never take any game lightly, but especially this week, because of the opposition, if we don’t turn up with the right attitude, it could be a very difficult night for us. I can never guarantee that we’re going to win a game of football, but knowing the group like I do, the one thing I can guarantee is that they will have the right mindset on Friday.”
It's been a brilliant season for the group as a whole and with Friday’s match being the last time some of these players pull on the maroon jersey, Fox is keen for the group to finish their journey together on a high.
“At this time of the season, at any club, some players will be offered new contracts and others will be moving on. There will be a few in our group that this game might be the last time they play for Hearts, so knowing the group and how tight it is, we would like to send these boys off with a victory.
“They have put in so much hard work, not just this season with me, but last season with the manager as well. Some of them have been at the football club for a long period of time, so if we can finish off with a victory tomorrow night, that would be great.
“Then what will happen in the summer will happen, players careers will develop one way or another, they will find their level and we can only ever wish them all the best.”
A cash gate will be available at the Excelsior Stadium on the night. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
Parking is available for £3 per car.
