Heart of Midlothian

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Who had Lee Johnson and Robbie Neilson working together in Belgium on their 2025 bingo card?

Former Hibs boss Johnson is now head coach of Belgian second-tier side Lommel, part of the City Football Group, and ex-Hearts manager Neilson has joined his staff.

Earlier this summer, Neilson expressed interest in the vacant roles at Dundee and Motherwell before both Scottish Premiership clubs appointed new managers.

The former Hearts right-back was sacked by Tampa Bay Rowdies in April.

Johnson, meanwhile, had a short stint at Fleetwood following his Hibs exit and was appointed Lommel boss in March.

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Claudio Braga says only a win will do for Hearts as they look to follow up Saturday's League Cup group victory over Dunfermline with three points at Hamilton.

The Tynecastle side started head coach Derek McInnes' competitive reign with a 4-1 triumph at the weekend, and they will be looking for a similar outcome on Tuesday.

Third-tier Hamilton are the opposition at Broadwood and summer signing Braga, who started in Saturday's win, is calling for Hearts to maintain their focus.

"The season has started now, and we've got to win, so for us it's very important we keep focused on the next game," the forward told Hearts TV.

"The Dunfermline game has gone already, we are looking forward to [the Hamilton] game now and to get the win, that's the only thing we need.

"[The League Cup] is silverware the club wants to put their hands on, so we're going to do everything we can to win every game."

There is concrete interest in Hearts midfielder Aidan Denholm, 21, and goalkeeper Harry Stone, 23, while defender Adam Forrester, 20, could also head out on loan. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Head coach Derek McInnes has highlighted the importance of utilising his Hearts squad in the infancy of his Tynecastle tenure.

The Gorgie side play four times in the space of 12 days, with a trip to face Hamilton at Broadwood in the League Cup next up amid a hectic early-season schedule.

McInnes started his competitive reign at Hearts on Saturday with a 4-1 home victory over Neil Lennon's Dunfermline.

The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss hinted there could be changes to the team for Tuesday's meeting with third-tier Hamilton, but he is striving for a similar outcome.

"We're going to have to utilise the squad, clearly," McInnes told Hearts TV.

"It'll be a tough game as most cup games are, but if we approach it in the right manner, do a lot of what we did right against Dunfermline, hopefully we can have the same outcome.

"We'll see how everybody's fixed in terms of the recovery. It'll not be a completely new team, but there'll be certain areas we can look to freshen up.

"I think you've got to try and utilise that squad. But whatever Hearts team is put out, it'll be a strong team and we're there to go and try to win the game."

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We asked you for your view following Hearts' win against Dunfermline in Derek McInnes' first game in charge.

Here's what some of you said:

Stuv: McInnes won't be happy with that performance and Hearts fans most certainly aren't either. However, first game won and I expect to see more new signings blooded as the season progresses.

Alexander: Good win for Hearts to kick the season off. This could of been - and nearly was - tricky. Football played by Hearts was dull, though. We play like that regularly and this will be a long, boring season.

Raymond: Pretty dominant display by Hearts and should have been more clinical in all honesty.

Colin: Solid start, hopefully this is a sign of things to come. Looked bright and passed the ball around, massive improvement from Critchley's shambolic tactics and shape. Time will tell but looking good for future.

Steve: Still confident with McInnes, but same old Hearts! Loads of possession but created little. Devlin and Beni, so slow and lack creativity. We need pace and creativity in midfield.

We can't keep a clean sheet against lower class opposition, Premiership sides will punish us.

Michael: First competitive game of the season so we were always going to be rusty with a new management team as well as some new players, so to win 4-1 is pleasing, as is our two strikers getting off the mark with goals and a peach from Kingsley at the end.

Something to build on for sure and think we're in for an exciting season.

Chesser: A bit of a slog and a similar malaise to last season. No spark from midfield whatsoever. Baningame and Devlin frustratingly cautious. Why was McEntee played at full back when we had a right-sided full back on the bench? Why was Forrest playing when we'd signed a new winger and had him on the bench? Why do we continue with the tactic of having everyone back for opposition corners? Pleased to win but 4-1 flatters us. 2-1 more realistic.

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Claudio Braga's Hearts debut was like "accomplishing a dream" as the debutant waxed lyrical about the "crazy" Tynecastle atmosphere.

The Portuguese striker started out on the wing against Dunfermline Athletic, and despite it not being his preferred position, he still managed to show his skill.

"A win and even though it was not a full stadium, it was crazy atmosphere, it really good," the summer signing said of his debut.

"Kind of accomplishing a dream in a way to play in the stadium like this, with that many people, with these guys that have so much quality, so it was a great debut and I'm looking forward for the next game, to be honest.

"When I got to the pitch to start the game and I looked around and the stadium, it just looked bigger. The atmosphere and everything looked amazing, so I'm buzzing to be here.

"We won and that's the most important thing, there's a lot of things that we should work on and we're going to work on for sure.

"We just need to keep working on the best things and keep winning."

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Hearts are in "decent nick" for their first game of the season against Dunfermline on Saturday, where "a lot is expected of us", says head coach Derek McInnes.

The Tynecastle club kick off their League Cup campaign at home to the "tough" second-tier side at the weekend after a positive pre-season, which ended with an 8-0 trouncing of East Kilbride earlier in the week.

"A lot of people are anticipating us just turning up and blowing Dunfermline away," the head coach said as he prepares for his first official game in charge.

"It's not as simple as that, especially at this stage of the season, when you're still trying to put your best squad together.

"But, I think we're in decent nick. I think we've had some decent performances with great effort from the players.

"There's no team - even the teams with all the money in the world - at the minute that are happy with their squads.

"Everybody's trying to add, trying to get better, trying to put their final squad together. Unfortunately, in this job, you've got to be a bit more patient.

"I'm happy with the squad we've got going into it. I think we're in some decent form.

"Fitness is good and we're looking forward to it, but it's a tough game. Ideally, Dunfermline might have been the last game in the group because they are the toughest team, but likewise for them with us."

The BBC's Scottish Football Podcast has Hearts in focus to preview the 2025-26 season for Derek McInnes' side.

Host Martin Dowden is joined by writer Joel Sked of the Hearts Standard and Scott McIntosh of the Scarves Around the Funnel podcast.

With Lawrence Shankland back to spearhead the attack, the competitive action starts on Saturday for McInnes' men as they host Dunfermline in their League Cup group opener.

Listen here and don't forget to subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds.

Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes has revealed Sabah Kerjota will be in Edinburgh this week to complete a £120,000 transfer from Sambenedettese along with fellow winger Pierre Landry Kabore from Narva Trans. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland, 29, will continue as Hearts captain after agreeing a new contract. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes admits the departure of James Penrice is a "blow" but the "right thing" for the player and club after the left-back sealed a move to Greek side AEK Athens.

The former Kilmarnock manager was still revelling in retaining striker Lawrence Shankland an exit accelerated for Penrice, a player McInnes believes resembled a young Andy Robertson when he arrived at Tynecastle.

"Just when you get your best Christmas present, James Penrice gets sold later that day," he quipped.

"That was a blow for us because we were really looking forward to working with James. But such was the deal for the club and for the boy, it was the right thing.

"I thought it was a brilliant signing for Hearts when they got him. I tried to take him to Kilmarnock. I think he was almost like a young Andy Robertson when he got his move.

"I thought there were similarities. When I got the job at Hearts, I was kind of regretting saying that and thinking: 'I hope we can just hold on to him'. But we always felt he was a slight risk.

"I think he's done brilliantly for Hearts and he's deserving of the opportunity that's been given to him."

Despite that blow, McInnes believes there is potential within the squad to take on Penrice's role.

"We've got Harry Milne and Stephen Kingsley that can play those positions," he explained.

"Harry Milne's a boy who, probably when he signed, was probably seen for this sort of circumstance when James was moved on.

"Such was the high level from James when he signed, he probably caught a few by surprise. I know from speaking to [former head coach Steven Naismith] he was even better than he thought.

"Who's to say Harry can't go and do something similar? It's important we try and get that from whoever's in the building."

Meanwhile, McInnes revealed defender Jamie McCart will not require surgery but faces "six to eight weeks" out with an ankle injury.

The Hearts boss also said goalkeeper Craig Gordon was only "slowly" recovering from a shoulder problem.

On the 42-year-old Scotland international, McInnes said: "I think Craig has his eyes on his testimonial game [against his former club Sunderland on July 26] but I think he's probably got a lot to do to be ready for that."

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New signing Claudio Braga netted for Hearts as Derek McInnes' side put eight goals past East Kilbride in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Summer recruit Braga's strike, and James Wilson's effort, had the Tynecastle club two up at the break at K-Park before a six-goal second half.

Yan Dhanda, Musa Drammeh and Sander Kartum were all on target, with Blair Spittal scoring from the spot and Elton Kabangu netting a double.

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Suspended Stuart Findlay and injured Jamie McCart will be absent from Hearts' defence in Saturday's League Cup meeting with Dunfermline Athletic. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

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Lewis Neilson can "make Falkirk better" says manager John McGlynn, as the defender joins on a season-long loan from fellow Premiership side Hearts.

Scotland Under-21 international Neilson has made 23 appearances for the Tynecastle club since joining from Dundee United three years ago.

When at United, Neilson had a loan spell with the Bairns and made eight appearances.

The 22-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at St Johnstone before returning to Gorgie and McGlynn says he has gained "a lot of experience for a player so young".

"I'm delighted to get Lewis in," McGlynn told club media.

"He's a player we've had our eye on for some time and he fits a lot of the credentials that we're looking for.

"He's gained a lot of experience for a player so young. He's played a lot of games, particularly in the Premiership.

"He's got a lot of football in front of him, he's someone that I feel can make us better, and it's a good opportunity for him to continue his development."

Hearts are set to pay a transfer fee of around £120,000 to sign Albanian winger Sabah Kerjota from the Italian Serie C club US Sambenedettese. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Burkina Faso winger Pierre Landry Kabore will undergo a medical this week before joining Hearts from Estonian side FK Narva Trans. (Hearts Standard), external

Burkina Faso winger Pierre Landry Kabore was not in Narva Trans' squad for their game on Saturday with the 24-year-old expected to join Heart of Midlothian this week. (Joel Sked on X), external

James Penrice's £2m transfer to AEK Athens from Hearts includes a sell-on agreement for the Edinburgh club to receive an additional payment for the left-back they signed from Livingston for free. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hearts' players have been "an absolute joy" during their pre-season camp in Spain and have "knocked their pan in", says new manager Derek McInnes.

The Tynecastle side comfortably beat English League Two side Crawley Town on Friday, with a performance that impressed their boss.

"The game itself was very competitive, with plenty of full-throttle tackles and challenges, and I think that we stood up to that," he said.

"I actually thought there was a wee bit more indication about the team that we want to be in terms of being a bit more natural to play, look forward a bit quicker, look into wide players quicker, look into strikers quicker.

"I think we've had a look at the lads, they've had a look at us and what we're looking at, what we're demanding from them. I think we're getting there."