Hearts youngsters put their club’s financial woes behind them with six-goal thumping of Selkirk.
But the hosts still enjoyed a superb day in the sunshine, which saw almost 400 supporters watch a friendly which helped to open Selkirk’s new Bob Mercer Stand.
Former Hearts and Scotland defender Mercer died on Ettrick Park in 1926 while playing for the Jambos against his former side Selkirk.
But there was no room for sentiment with the young Hearts squad as they raced into a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Jordan McGhee opened the scoring with a free kick before Robbie Buchanan’s header beat new Selkirk goalkeeper Dan Hatfield. And Gary Oliver made it three with a spot kick.
Euan Pritchard restored some Souter pride with a header from Bobby Gay’s free kick, but Hearts went into the break 6-1 up as Buchanan and Oliver scored again with Sam Nicholson also on target.
Selkirk improved after the break and Kevin Barr struck a fine free kick into the top corner.Daryl Johnston, Jonny Watt and Daniel Brown also went close for Selkirk.
Selkirk: D. Hatfield, K. Barr, L. Stephen, J. Higginbottom, E. Pritchard, R. McManus, D. Battle, B. Gay (J. Little 76), C. Peoples (J. Watt 50), D. Johnston, Craig Scott (D. Brown 65).