Hearts star gives 'I'm ready' fitness update after absence

The experienced defender had entered the final year of his deal at Tynecastle Park - but his future is in Gorgie following the agreement.

Kingsley was on the bench for the opening game of the season, a 0-0 draw with Rangers, after missing the majority of pre-season due to a calf issue. The 30-year-old told Hearts TV, however, that he is feeling "great" and ready to go.

"It was unfortunate to have that annoying injury that kept me out," he said. "It was never bad. It was just one of those you really need to be careful with, you don't want to push it and make it any worse coming into the beginning of the season. The worst-case scenario is not being ready for the first game of the season.

"It was very frustrating I couldn't play any of the pre-season games but the objective was to be fit for Rangers and I was. I was ready to go. With the amount of games and training I did have I knew it was going to be difficult to actually get on and play. I was there and ready to be called upon.

"We've got so many games coming up that my main objective now is to be as fit, as sharp and as prepared as I can be for those games."

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Kingsley has been with Hearts since 2020 and is on course to reach the 150th appearance milestone in the coming weeks. 

On the new deal, he explained it made perfect sense for him on and off the pitch.

"It was a pretty easy decision," he noted. "Having a couple of conversations with the manager pretty much sealed the deal for me. I was happy here, I was happy with the way the club is going. It's an exciting time ahead.

"We've been on a trajectory where we are going to be in Europe and we can really kick on. We've built a really good squad, a big squad that can hopefully go and compete more than we did a couple of seasons ago.

"Off the pitch, personally, it is just ideal for myself and my family. I've got kids that love coming to the games now and it is close to home."