Heart of Midlothian have announced 10 of the club's most talented youngsters have signed their first professional contracts.

The teenagers, from goalkeepers to forwards, will be part of David McNeil's plans for the under-18s and pushing for a place in the B team who started their season with a 4-1 win over East Stirlingshire.

The ten players are: Jack Lyon, Lyndon Tas, Josh Radcliffe, Ryan Kelly, Alfie Osborne, Euan Banks, Charlie Sanders, Taylor Hogarth, Callen Robb and Gregor Burn.

“It's a reward for their hard work up to this point," the club's academy manager Andrew Webster told the club's website. "They can celebrate this moment and appreciate making it to the first rung of the ladder.

"It's a great time to celebrate with the players and their families and I congratulate them all. This is where the hard work starts now, however.

"They're in a professional environment and the demands are slightly different to what they would have been previously. The boys have been great so far, and the coaching staff will be there to help them along the way."


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Who are the 10?

Jack Lyon and Lyndon Tas are both goalkeepers and have signed two-year deals. The duo have been involved with the B team during pre-season and will work closely with Jamie MacDonald. Lyon is a massive Jambo who is said to be strong with the ball at his feet. Tas has a big presence and is eligible for both Scotland and England.

Left-back Josh Radcliffe, who signed a two-year deal, is somewhat of a set-piece specialist and can as a winger. On the right, Gregor Burn has penned a one-year deal. He is a quick right-back who is in his third spell at the club. Ryan Kelly can also play right-back but has also featured at centre-back where he has played for much of his young football career. Hearts have utilised his pace and engine at full-back and wing-back. He has signed a two-year deal.

Alfie Osborne is a name fans will be somewhat familiar with. Recently turned 16, he was on the bench for the first-team when they faced Fleetwood Town. A tall teenager, he has trained regularly with the first-team, and can play as a centre-back and centre-mid. He has signed a two-year deal, along with fellow centre-mid Euan Banks. Another player with a presence, he is more all-action and a threat from set-pieces.

The left-footed Charlie Sanders is another who has had experience training with the first-team. The centre-mid is another to have signed a two-year deal having returned to the club at under-15s after time with Bonnyrigg Rose. He is expected to add goals from midfield for the under-18s. Taylor Hogarth is an exciting attacking midfielder who has been a regular with Scotland at youth level. Wants to get on the ball and make things happen in the final third. One to keep an eye on. He's signed a two-year deal.

Finally,  Callen Robb is a traditional No.9. He can use his pace to stretch games or drop in and link. He has signed a two-year deal.