Ghana and Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu has played down claims that results during pre-season are not important insisting they are vital to every team’s campaign.

The Magpies will be taking on Hearts of Midlothian in a friendly and are expected to carry close to 1,300 fans to Tynecastle for the clash tonight.

While defeats during pre-season have often been dismissed as nothing more than a fitness workout, Atsu wants Newcastle to start pre-season with a bang.

Looking ahead to the encounter with Scottish Premiership side Hearts, Atsu told the Chronicle: “Every game is very important, none of them are easy.

“But we want wins and we want to be focused for the Premier League in a few weeks.

“This is where the season starts for us.

“We will keep fighting and providing competition for the team.”

Newcastle have suffered some embarrassing friendly results down the years with losses at places like York City, Oldham Athletic and Leyton Orient unfolding in front of strong travelling away crowds.