Frankie Kent says the Jambos are ready and can’t wait for Monday night’s league opener against Aberdeen at Tynecastle Park.
It’s a tasty fixture in front of the Sky Sports cameras to kickstart season 25.26 and the centre back insists the new season provides a fresh start for the men in maroon.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, Kent said:
“It's a good fixture [to start with]. It should be a good game and everyone's looking forward to it.
“We want to try and get back to the levels that we did hit the previous year, the levels that everyone expects and the levels that we know we're capable of. It's been touched on so many times that last year wasn't good enough and it wasn't what we wanted.
“But it's a fresh start, it's a new season and a season to be excited about. As players, everyone involved in the club and the supporters as well, it's something new, in terms of the amount of new players and new boys that we've got coming in, which have all added something to the group. I think you've seen that in the pre-season games and in the cup games that we've had and then Saturday as well.”
With plenty of new faces in the building, Kent admits there’s already a good bond in the group, following a tough pre-season camp in Spain and explained that competition for places is strong.
“We've been back in five or six weeks already, so the boys have spent a long time together. It's been good and the results going the way that they have in the cup games and pre-season games obviously help that. It's just about managing that and obviously, some boys might not play as much, but it's a long season so anything can happen and anything can change. It's just trying to stay positive and trying to get off to a good start.
“It is a motivator [the competition for places] and I think from the first day that we come in every player, whether they've been here three, four, five years or just come in the door. I think you've seen that in the training and the games that everyone's been really motivated to try and impress. No matter how old you are you're still fighting for your position and trying to impress the new managers, new staff and everyone.
“There is a real competition for places and it's been tough, but it's been enjoyable. I think you want the hard games to start off with to see where you're at as a team and being at home and it being a night game and everything. It should be a good atmosphere. It's a fresh season and we're just looking to get a good start.”
You can watch Frankie’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
