Hearts 3 – 0 Cove Rangers LIVE: Gary Mackay-Steven hits the third

Smith and Ginnelly link up again. The right-back clips a ball over the Cove defence for Ginnelly to chase but the winger’s stinging shot is repelled by Gourlay.

Hearts have now switched to a 4-3-3 with Halliday returning to midfield to join newcomers Haring and McEneff.

Pollock & Kingsley OFF, McEneff & Haring ON

Moments after a massive sclaff, Gary Mackay-Steven fires an excellent shot past Gourlay into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

More fine work from Haliday in the build-up, taking the ball off Vigurs.

The midfielder goes into the book for a late challenge on McIntosh.

A positive half of football for Hearts. Robbie Neilson’s men took about ten minutes to get going with Cove settling into the game quicker and finding space behind the home side’s midfield.

But Hearts wrestled control with Andy Halliday key at winning possession and driving forward. He opened the scoring with a cracking daisy cutter from 25 yards which saw a great Souttar cross-field pass in the build-up.

Hearts got good joy down the right with Ginnelly. He would pull wide, on to the touchline and Smith moved in field to give the team another passing option. The Northern Irishman has, again, been excellent. Penetrative passing, bursts forward and link play. Could have scored one, could have set one up, did help create one.

Pollock has come on to a game after a slow start, buzzing around with plenty of energy, while Liam Boyce has shown his craft, begin in a right place at the right time to double the lead right on half time.

There is enough about Cove Rangers to be wary, especially Leighton McIntosh driving in field and linking with Megginson.

Liam Boyce gets his second in successive League Cup games.

Smith crossed from the right, it wasn’t dealt with by Gourlay and the Northern Irishman collected and finished.

The ball is won at the edge of the box. Pollock shifts it to Halliday who drives forward, playing the ball into Boyce.

The striker exchanges a one-two with countryman Smith before seeing an effort deflected over.

Then GMS plays a great reverse ball which was dummied by Boyce for Smith whose outside of the ball shot was well saved by Gourlay.

You can see what Hearts have been working on in training. The relationship between Josh Ginnelly and Michael Smith is interesting with the latter moving in field when the team have the ball, allowing the winger to hug the touchline and get 1v1 against he full-back.

Hearts win the ball back in midfield. Pollock drives forward and pushes the ball to Ginnelly. He gets a return, creates space but his effort hits the outside of the post.

The winger shows fans what he brings to the team. Taking a pace from Souttar he uses his body to protect he ball then speed away before firing in a tantalising cross.

A brilliant goal from Andy Halliday.

A cross field pass from Souttar finds Cochrane who off loads if to Ginnelly. The wingers gets his head up and rolls it to Halliday.

The midfielder takes a touch, composes himself and fires a low shot into the bottom corner.

A scare for Hearts. Vigurs plays the ball through to McIntosh. It deflects into his path and he tries to lift it over Gordon but Smith is on hand to hook off the line.