Five of Hearts' U19 squad are to head out on loan until the end of December.

Murray Christie is joining Coldstream, Chris Kane heads to Spartans and Dale O'Hara will get valuable game time with Tynecastle FC. Brad McKay will spend the next few months while Chris Tobin has joined Craigroyston.

With competition for places in Darren Murray's squad extremely strong and early results encouraging, all five will benefit from playing regularly before returning to Riccarton at the start of 2011.

Meanwhile, Scotland U17 international left-back Kevin McHattie has joined Hearts' youth ranks.