Hearts managing director Campbell Ogilvie paid tribute today to the soldiers who perished on the battlefields of the Somme in 1916.

Attending the remembrance service at Contalmaison this morning as part of the McCrae's Battalion Trust's annual pilgrimage to the French village, Campbell stressed that the sacrifices made by so many on that fateful first day of the battle 93 years ago should never be forgotten.

"I was extremely proud to represent our club, its staff and its present day players at such an important event," he said.

"Many accolades have been bestowed on the players, staff and supporters of Hearts for their efforts in enlisting for McCrae's Battalion. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend the courage it took to actually make those first steps from Tynecastle to volunteer for McCrae's.

"It is perhaps only when you truly visit the battlefields of the Somme and many others around the world - as I know a number of people have - that you have any real chance of beginning to understand the sacrifices that were made for a few steps and a 'yard of land'.

"That courage was also mirrored by representatives and supporters from clubs including Hibernian, Raith Rovers, Falkirk and Dunfermline and preserved a prize much greater than either our beloved game or our respective clubs.

"It gave us the most precious aspect of our lives - freedom. And for this we will be eternally grateful."