Ayr United fielded a strong lineup, featuring first-team regulars, because they, like Hearts, are not playing this weekend owing to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.

Hearts’ starting lineup of Harry Stone in goal and Christian Borchgrevink, Michael Steinwender, Jamie McCart, and Stephen Kingsley in defence. Sabah Kerjota, Tomas Magnausson, Sander Kartum, and Calem Nieuwenhof lined up in midfield, while Wilson and Pierre Landry Kabore led the attack.

Borchgrevink, a Norwegian right-back, was removed at halftime as he attempts to regain full fitness after suffering a thigh injury last month.

Alan Forrest and Blair Spittal appeared in the second half, as did young players Callum Sandilands, Keir McMeekin, and Gregor Crookston. Wilson played 89 minutes and was happy to score the only goal of the afternoon.

The 18-year-old did not make the substitutes bench for Hearts’ 2-0 win over Rangers in Glasgow on Saturday, but he is still in the plans of head coach Derek McInnes.

Borchgrevink is eager to return to first-team action for Hearts, and he hopes to be ready to play Falkirk in the Premiership a week from Saturday.

With Irishman Oisin McEntee out with a foot injury, Borchgrevink’s return would relieve strain on the right-back position. McInnes watched the Ayr game and would have been pleased to see Borchgrevink return to action without any difficulties.