TYNECASTLE GLOVE-IN FOR CRAIG

Del's delight as Jambos bare their claws to maul Black Cats and Gordon gets a testimonial cameo

- DARREN JOHNSTONE AT TYNECASTLE

DEREK McINNES reckons an emphatic victory over big-spending Sunderland proves that Hearts are ready for the big kickoff in the Premiership.

After four convincing Premier Sports Cup group wins against lower-league opposition, the visit of the English topflight newcomers was regarded as a litmus test for McInnes side.

But the Jambos battered the Black Cats’ into submission in Craig Gordon's testimonial with a deserved win that will only boost the excitement surrounding this new-look side ahead of next Monday's opening Premiership game against Aberdeen.

Claudio Braga, Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis all found the net.

New Tynecastle gaffer McInnes said: “I've been so happy with the preseason as a whole.

“From the first day back at testing, the players have been fully committed, fully motivated.

“You go into the League Cup business and everything seems to be quite straightforward but there's always that feeling of we've not really played a team of a similar level or better than us.

“Sunderland came here today to mark the testimonial for big Craig.

“And it was almost a perfect day for Craig and the family.