Heart of Midlothian

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Having comfortably secured a third-placed finish last term, can Hearts aim higher this season or have they hit their ceiling?

By the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Steven Naismith's side were 12 points ahead of Kilmarnock in fourth but 17 behind Rangers in second.

With the aim of strengthening this summer, the Tynecastle club have been proactive in their transfer dealings by signing Premiership trio Yan Dhanda, Blair Spittal and James Penrice on pre-contract agreements.

Those additions have been complimented by the arrivals of Musa Drammeh, Daniel Oyegoke and Gerald Taylor, while talismanic striker Lawrence Shankland remains at the club despite continued speculation surrounding his future.

Not since the 2017-18 season have the Old Firm been separated come the end of a Scottish top-flight season, but The Athletic's Jordan Campbell feels Naismith's men will back themselves to prey on a potentially fragile Rangers.

Hearts welcome the Ibrox side to Tynecastle in the Premiership's curtain-raiser on Saturday.

"Hearts will look at Rangers being vulnerable," Campbell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They'll think if they can get a really good start then they might have a chance of breaking into the top two.

"They've built a really good squad in the last three or four years and used the Bosman market really well. They needed a bit more mobility and they've added that.

"The target has to be to try and challenge, but it's really difficult with the finances [between the Old Firm and the rest]."

Boss Philippe Clement expects James Tavernier to be a Rangers player next season - but would not be drawn on the possibility of Heart of Midlothian striker Lawrence Shankland joining him at Ibrox. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Sunday's gossip.

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Charlie Adam's Fleetwood Town delivered a pre-season blow to Hearts as the English League Two side recorded a comfortable 3-0 win at Highbury Stadium.

The 38-year-old former Scotland midfielder was unable to steer his side clear of relegation after being appointed head coach in December.

But he will have high hopes for a better season after watching his side overcome Scottish Premiership visitors who named a near full-strength starting line-up.

Fleetwood took an 18th-minute lead through winger Danny Mayor and striker Tommy Lonergan doubled their advantage five minutes later.

Mayor added his own second 12 minutes after the break.

It means Hearts go into their Premiership opener at home to Rangers on 3 August on the back of three consecutive defeats by English opposition.

They also lost 2-1 at home to League One side Leyton Orient and were then thumped 5-1 by Premier League visitors Tottenham Hotspur.

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Midfielder Aidan Denholm has joined fellow Scottish Premiership side Ross County on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old has made 24 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2021, but a move to the Highlands should provide "a consistent run of games," according to Steven Naismith.

On the decision to move Denholm to the Highlands for the upcoming campaign the Hearts head coach added, “It’s a good move for Aidan who will get to work under a top operator in Don Cowie.

“Aidan did really well last season to come into the team but to really progress he needs a consistent run of games.

“We have recruited with purpose for our domestic and European campaigns so the opportunities that were there last year may not be there this season.

“By going to Ross County Aidan can continue his development by staying in the top flight and staking his case for regular minutes on the pitch.

“He can then return to Hearts with more experience under his belt and look to push on for a starting place at Tynecastle next season."

St Johnstone are keen to sign Hearts defender Lewis Neilson on loan but face fierce competition from several other Scottish clubs for the versatile 21-year-old. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Selling Sam Lammers to Twente for £2.7m could unlock the money Rangers need to tempt Hearts to part with Lawrence Shankland, with the Edinburgh club likely to demand at least £3m for the 28-year-old Scotland striker. (Daily Record), external

Queens Park Rangers' move for Slovenian striker Zan Celar means the Championship club could be open to selling Lyndon Dykes, with Rangers reigniting their interest in the 28-year-old as an alternative signing target to fellow Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland. (HITC), external

Dundee manager Tony Docherty is looking to do "quite a bit of business" before the transfer window closes but would not be drawn on reported interest in 29-year-old Charlton Athletic midfielder Scott Fraser, who was on loan to Hearts last season. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Heart of Midlothian are working on a permanent deal for Crystal Palace midfielder Malachi Boateng, the 22-year-old who spent last season on loan to Dundee. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Steven Naismith says it "makes sense" for Toby Sibbick to leave the club as the Hearts boss could not offer the defender regular game time.

The 25-year-old has ended his second spell at Tynecastle by joining Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

Twenty-eight of Sibbick's 88 Hearts appearances came last season.

"I had an honest conversation with Toby and told him that chances to play first-team football were going to be limited," Naismith told club media.

"That’s natural in football as your squad evolves over time, so it makes sense for him to move on.

"I’m happy that he’s got a move to a good club. Toby is an excellent professional and I’m sure he’ll do well at Wigan."

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Veteran goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald has returned to Hearts on a one-year deal to join their B team.

A Scottish Cup winner at Tynecastle, the 38-year-old was most recently with Morton last season.

The Gorgie side say MacDonald, a Hearts academy product, will "provide quality between the posts and pass on his vast experience" to the club's youngsters.

B team head coach Liam Fox said: "It might seem like an older goalkeeper will block the pathway, but it’s exactly the opposite.

"We’ve got two goalkeepers who have just turned full-time, one 16 and the other about to turn 16, and we didn’t want to block their path.

"Jamie will help them find the time to develop and make that next step to the B team in the year to come."

Former Raith, Falkirk and Kilmarnock keeper MacDonald added: "It’s a different kind of challenge but one that involved helping the next generation of Hearts players."

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

Rangers could test the strength of Heart of Midlothian's resolve to keep hold of captain Lawrence Shankland this summer, with the Scotland striker's name back on the Ibrox wanted list as manager Philippe Clement makes a U-turn after deciding against a January move for the 28-year-old. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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St Johnstone have signed striker Makenzie Kirk from Heart of Midlothian for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old, who is the son of Saints' assistant manager Andy Kirk, scored 43 goals in 48 games for Hearts B in the Lowland League.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Hamilton Academical, making eight appearances without finding the net.

"I love to score goals, get in behind and work hard off the ball," Kirk told the Perth club's website. "That is what you get from me.

"You have to be there to score goals and that is one thing I have always been good at. I like to get on the end of things and put it in the back of the net."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle

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Not even 30 minutes into his Hearts debut, Gerald Taylor was being heralded as Hearts' signing of the season in the stand behind me.

A bold call, but anyone who witnessed his first half performance against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday would understand why.

The Costa Rica international was a joy to watch down the right flank. Confidence flowing, not once did he shy from getting stuck in.

Steven Naismith spoke of his "aggressiveness" before he arrived, and it was displayed in abundance. One doesn't think he'll find the rough and tumble of the Scottish Premiership too much to handle.

With that aggression also came a directness. He denied one promising Spurs move and cleared a certain goal at the back-post too.

A defender who likes to defend, but one who is also comfortable galloping down the wing and swinging a cross into the box.

On another night, perhaps if Lawrence Shankland was waiting for the delivery, Taylor would have had two assists as his delicious crosses were pin-point. Kyosuke Tagawa however failed to fire home.

As fine a welcome as one could hope for, particularly against an established Premier League side; the Hearts faithful are rightly excited about their new right-back.

Dundee are keen on a move to take Scott Fraser on loan from Charlton Athletic after the 29-year-old ended last season with Heart of Midlothian. (Daily Record, print edition)

Ethan Ingram has revealed that fellow full-back Owen Beck's success with Dundee on loan from Liverpool last season was key when joining the Dens Park club and rejecting a new contract with West Bromwich Albion. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Steven Naismith said Hearts' pre-season friendly defeat against Tottenham Hotspur was "a brilliant test" for his young squad and he has "plenty of positives" to take from it.

Hearts frustrated the Premier League heavyweights in the first half and could have taken the lead on a few occasions but lacked the clinical edge to do so.

When the changes flooded in from half-time onwards, the game turned in Tottenham's favour and they ran rampant, but the head coach was far from downbeat afterwards.

"There were loads of positives, especially in the first half," he told BBC Scotland.

"We knew the type of game it was going to be, it's probably one of the examples we might face in Europe, against the the Old Firm it's similar, and I thought we done that really well.

"I was pleased that we carried a threat against such a good team, they're probably one of the most dynamic teams in England, never mind anywhere in Scotland, and it's a big challenge. Their movements off the ball are really sharp with very intelligent players and we dealt with that really well.

"The game became a bit stretched as it went on and they're bringing younger players on who they've spent millions on and we've got some of our kids who are just in the door full-time.

"I remember when I was starting out and you were coming up against Premier League teams and there's that excitement because you've watched them on television over the years.

"To test yourself against the best in the world is a rare opportunity for a lot, but when your're starting out in your career it can develop very, very quickly that you're sharing a pitch with these guys so it gives them a real understanding of what the top level is.

"It's a brilliant test for us."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle

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Hearts fell to their second defeat of pre-season, losing 5-1 despite an at-times impressive performance against Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur.

Brennan Johnson tucked in the opener after patient build-up play for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

But the visitors rode their luck before that as Kyosuke Tagawa twice squandered inviting opportunities and goalkeeper Brandon Austin magnificently denied Yutaro Oda with a sensational save.

While potency was missing in the first half, it was evident less than a minute into the second. A half-time substitute – along with Zander Clark and Barrie McKay – Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland slammed home after a defensive howler from Emerson Royal.

He was one of 11 changes at the break for the visitors and it did not take long for Spurs to find their stride again.

William Lankshear slotted beyond Clark after latching on to a delicious threaded through pass from Djed Spence to restore their lead and it was extended by Mikey Moore in another tidy move that ripped the Hearts defence apart.

It was a defence that lost Frankie Kent in the first-half after he took a James Maddison free-kick flush to the face.

There was a bright light in the backline, though, with Costa Rica international Gerald Taylor, on loan from Derportivo Saprissa, being a constant threat down the right flank in his first hour as a Hearts player.

His departure was notable and Spurs’ fourth came from another dangerous cross down their left. The ball was poked beyond Clark in a congested six-yard box, with Spence being credited with the final touch.

On his return to Scotland, Postecoglou witnessed a five-goal performance from his side as Ashley Williams added a late fifth from close-range at the back-post.

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Steven Naismith has praised Alex Cochrane for showing "maturity to focus on his game" in his final year as a Hearts player.

The head coach revealed he had talks 12 months ago with the full-back about "picking the right moment" to depart Tynecastle.

That moment has now come, with 24-year-old Cochrane joining Birmingham City for a fee of around £1.3m with add-ons.

"Alex has done really well for us since joining three years ago, and we’ve been really good for Alex so it’s no surprise that there was interest in him," said Naismith.

"It’s important for the club that we are able to identify players who can take the team forward and, if the opportunity presents itself further down the line, we make a significant return on our investment.

"It’s a good deal all round. It’s good for the club and it’s good for Alex. He leaves with our best wishes."

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Prior to their pre-season friendly with Tottenham, Hearts boss Steven Naismith has been discussing a range of topics, including transfers in and out of Tynecastle.

Here are the best bits:

On Alex Cochrane's potential move to Birmingham...

"It's in the works. It's a football business decision that makes sense.

"I think every club in Scotland are in that bracket that if good offers come in for your players, they need to be considered. I think it's a good model, us as a club haven't been good enough at it in previous years.

"Alex came in and improved Hearts and this is the outcome of it, so it's a good deal for everybody."

On attracting new players to Hearts...

"There is a lot about the club to make it attractive.

"On the football side of it you've got a great stadium, a well supported club, there's a demand, we've got European football.

"You get good exposure and that gives you an opportunity to come in and play regularly, and if you're successful you never know what can happen."

On budget for incomings...

"Any conversation I have had with the club has been that if we identify a player we think is the right one, is a good prospect and can be developed and progress, then the club say they'll back that and go for it.

"I don't think one sale makes it that we have a pot of money.

"We've always tried to identify players and to have brought six or seven players shows we're trying to do our business quickly."

On interest in Toby Sibbick and Nathaniel Atkinson...

"There have been a couple of conversations had, nothing to give any more information on but I would expect there to be movement over the course of the weeks coming up."

On Ange Postecoglou's move down south...

"I think he took a lot of people by surprise at the start, as he did in Scotland.

"He stuck to his principles and he probably didn't get the credit for the season Spurs had. From where they were to last season was a massive turnaround.

"I think he's been good for Scottish football as well as English football."

Hearts have accepted a bid in excess of £1m from Birmingham City for left-back Alex Cochrane. (Scotsman), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Hearts' pre-season preparations continued with a 2-1 defeat to Leyton Orient.

Liam Boyce netted an early opener for the hosts at Tynecastle, but the English League One side equalised through Jordan Brown's header.

And Orient took an early lead in the second half when ex-St Johnstone forward Diallang Jaiyesimi slammed in on the rebound.

Hearts welcome Premier League club Tottenham on Wednesday.