Heart of Midlothian

Zander Clark, 32, signed a new two-year Hearts contract despite losing his place to Scotland number one Craig Gordon, 42, because he remains fully motivated to re-establish himself as the club's first choice. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Jorge Grant, 31, has had no discussions with Hearts about extending his contract beyond this summer and the midfielder remains uncertain about his long-term future. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jamie McCart: A strong showing at the back for the Hearts newbie and a goal bonus as well.

Elton Kabangu: Analytics must work if Hearts used them to sign Elton. Has hit the ground running and shown great energy and has given Hearts a potent extra dimension up front.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Hearts' 3-2 win against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Heart of Midlothian left-back James Penrice earned comparisons to Scotland captain Andy Robertson - and has been tipped for a big move - by Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes after his performance against his side. (The Scotsman)

Former Hearts utility player Callum Paterson opened up on mental health struggles after his first league start in a year for Sheffield Wednesday. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Watch highlights of Hearts' 3-2 win against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Hearts' 3-2 win against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

David: Although Kilmarnock will feel a bit unlucky to lose that match, it showed great character from Hearts to fight hard to hold on for the win. I thought Beni Baningime was immense again.

Jim: As with all teams it takes time for new signings to fit in but all the signs are excellent. The new signings are in the areas the team needed to address. James Wilson looks like a natural footballer and is well worth his place. Lawrence Shankland's return is a huge bonus as he showed with a number of deft touches. Tough programme ahead, the season end should be good.

Alan: What should have been a comfortable victory was anything but due to very poor defending and wasteful opportunities upfront. None the less a much needed win.

Stewart: Strange game. Deserved to be ahead at the break but very poor second half. It felt like Killie had better of us most of the half however we had the best chances and really should have scored five or six, but it would have flattered us. Brilliant saves from Craig Gordon in both halves.

William: Decent performance, but I'm still concerned about the defence, and I think that Gordon saved us again even after his mistake at their second goal. At last, we are out of the bottom two.

Duncan: Still a long way to go. The new signings will bring a much needed breath of fresh air. The league is so tight from second to 11th. I'm on board with the manager, for now!

Image source, SNS

• Kilmarnock have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 3 November 2024 to 7 December 2024, a run of six games.

• Hearts are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 16 December 2023 to 17 February 2024, a run of 10 games.

• Hearts have beaten Kilmarnock for the first time in the Premiership since 2 December 2023, a run of four games without a win.

• James Penrice has assisted three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Hearts player has more.

• Daniel Armstrong has assisted four goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Kilmarnock player.

Hearts held off a strong Kilmarnock fightback to win a five-goal thriller at Tynecastle Park and leapfrog Derek McInnes' side in the Scottish Premiership.

What did you make of that, Hearts fans? Was that a deserved victory for your side?

Who impressed you in the win over Kilmarnock? And has Neil Critchley finally turned a corner?

Let us know your thoughts, external.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Neil Critchley revealed Hearts are in talks with an unnamed club over the sale of defender Daniel Oyegoke.

The 22-year-old, who has featured at both right-back and centre-back this season, signed in the summer from Brentford and has made 26 appearances for Hearts, scoring one goal.

"We have had some interest in him," Critchley confirmed. "It's got as far as the club are in negotiations. That's all I can say about it right now, but that's why he's not involved.

"We'll see where that gets to in the 24 to 48 hours."

The defender, capped for England at under-20 level, has become a mainstay in the side since injury to right-back Gerald Taylor.

Upon potential interest from an Italian club, Critchley said: "Possibly. I won't go any further, I can't do. It would be wrong to discuss someone else's business.

"I'll just say that Dan's been really good for us, he's attracted some interest. That's the window.

"We went and got Sander [Kartum] and Michael [Steinwender] and those clubs didn't want to lose them, but everyone has a price and we'll see what happens."

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley told BBC Scotland: "I didn't think we were great all game, we looked a little bit off the pace. We were a bit reactive.

"We normally play with real intensity but our quality, our touch... we misjudged things a little. We were a little bit off it but we scored goals at the right time - and good goals too.

"We had a few chances to make it 4-2 and we didn't finish the game off. But it's three points, it means we're six unbeaten and it definitely helps with the belief in the group.

"There's a little more assurance about us now, a bit more confidence in being able to see those moments out. Craig [Gordon] has pulled off a really good save in the bottom corner, but other than that we've defended the penalty box really well.

"You always want your new signings to get off to a good start, particularly in front of the home supporters. Jamie has added a real presence to us at the back - aerial ability, calmness on the ball. He's been a commanding figure for us.

"Elton is now three in two and that's what he does - he gets inside the goalframe and it's no coincidence that the ball drops to him. It shows the supporters why we've brought them here."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Incredibly, this is just the second time Hearts have beaten Kilmarnock at Tynecastle in 12 games and they were certainly made to work for all three points.

That said, two of the three goals were slightly comical. Kabangu's came about as the result of two dreadful mis-hit shots from Grant and Wilson fell to the striker. The second was a well-worked corner but the third was the result of dreadful goalkeeping.

The hosts should have scored more - which has been a trait of Hearts under Critchley. Musa Drammeh hit the post and had a shot well saved by O'Hara in the second half and had either gone in, they would have wrapped the game up comfortably.

Defensively, they had to deal with the loss of Craig Halkett early on and Lewis Neilson struggled slightly when dropped in.

The young centre-back was on loan at St Johnstone in the first half of the season and will have to deputise while new signing Michael Steinwender finds fitness.

Ultimately, Hearts showed enough grit to hold on with some thanks to more heroics from Craig Gordon in goal - and with four wins in their last five, have perhaps finally turned the corner.

Image source, SNS

Elton Kabangu. The Belgian striker has been a breath of fresh air for the Hearts front line. His physicality provides something James Wilson cannot, while his hold up play brings teammates into play well.

He took his goal well, but probably should have scored more - a sin plenty of his teammates were also guilty of.

Image source, SNS

Hearts could include new signings Sander Kartum and Michael Steinwender, while Lawrence Shankland has a chance of returning after a five-game calf injury absence.

Calem Nieuwenhof is also in contention after being sidelined since last March with a hamstring problem. Frankie Kent (quad) and Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) are out long term.

Killie have lost Robby McCrorie (broken cheekbone), Brad Lyons (hamstring) and Rory McKenzie (stomach) but have Kyle Magennis back.

Matty Kennedy (back), Kyle Vassell, Stuart Findlay (ankle) and Innes Cameron (hamstring) remain out.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hearts "could be set for a busy last week of January", according to boss Neil Critchley, despite having already signed four players in the winter window.

Norwegian midfielder Sander Kartum and Austrian defender Michael Steinwender joined this week - adding to the arrivals of Jamie McCarth and Elton Kabangu - and Critchley confirmed he's eyeing further reinforcements.

"Anything can happen in January," the head coach said. "We're still looking, we're still searching. Obviously our squad now, if you looked at the numbers, is slightly top heavy, although some players have also departed in January.

"There might be one or two exits, but that might mean that one or two might arrive as well and it could be a busy last week of January.

"But we're really happy with the work that we've done so far and the players that we've brought in. Jamie, Elton, Michael and Sander, we think they'll contribute and reinforce us and strengthen us for the future."

Critchley could also be boosted by the return of Lawrence Shankland, who has missed the last few games with a calf complaint, for Saturday's visit of Kilmarnock.

"Possibly," the head coach said of a Shankland appearance. "He's done more training this week so that'll be a decision that we have to make on Lawrence and whether we think he's had enough to be in contention for the squad.

"He has been back out on the grass in training. That little break might actually do him the world of good because he played virtually every minute of every game.

"We're hopeful that maybe just refreshed him mentally and physically a little bit. But we also have to make sure he's done enough to be included."

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Hearts midfielder Macaulay Tait has joined Livingston on loan until the end of the season, with manager Neil Critchley saying the 19-year-old "needs to play regular men's football".

Tait has featured just twice - both in the Conference League - for Hearts this term.

"It's the right thing for Macaulay at this stage of his development and his career," Critchley said of the loan move.

"He needs to play regular men's football, something that we can't guarantee for him here right now.

"He'll be going to a team that's doing very well, with an experienced manager that play good football and we think it'll suit Macaulay."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Neil Critchley has been speaking to the media before Hearts face Kilmarnock in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the Tynecastle boss:

• On newly-signed midfielder Sander Kartum and defender Michael Steinwender: "Delighted. Players we've been tracking for a while, really excited to bring them both here. We think they can impact the group immediately but also be good for us long term."

• Critchley is not ruling out further signings in this window: "We're still looking, we're still searching."

• But he says the squad is still "slightly top heavier numbers" and there may be "one or two" further exits.

• Having brought in four players this month, Critchley is "really happy" with the transfer business so far.

• Confidence is high in the squad after a five-game unbeaten run but Hearts are "not where we want to be" in the league.

• Lawrence Shankland could return from injury againt Killie: "Who knows, that little break might actually do him the world of good because he played virtually every minute of every game. So we're hopeful that maybe just refreshed him mentally and physically a little bit."

Image source, SNS

New Hearts signing Sander Kartum says the "history" of the club appealed to him as he sealed his move from Norwegian side SK Brann.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder is Hearts' fourth signing of the January window, joining Jamie McCart, Elton Kabangu, and Michael Steinwender in Gorgie.

"I heard it was a big club with a lot of history," he told Hearts TV.

"There are amazing fans too, so the opportunity to play here was big. I looked for the opportunity to play outside of Norway, and I just decided that this is something I have to do."

It is the first time the attacking midfielder has moved outside his homeland, having appeared for Stjordals-Blink, Kristiansund and Brann.

He will compete with Blair Spittal, Yan Dhanda and Jorge Grant for a midfield berth, and helped Brann knock out St Mirren in Conference League qualifying earlier this season.

"I like to be creative and score goals," Kartum said. "I feel like the important thing is to fight for the team. When we played St Mirren, it was quite an experience on the football side.

"Tynecastle is a very big stadium. I heard a lot of good things about it with the fans and the atmosphere so I'm looking forward to getting my first playing minutes here."

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes expects Danny Armstrong, who is out of contract this summer, will still be at Rugby Park come the end of the transfer window despite Heart of Midlothian being keen on the 27-year-old and a six-figure bid from an unnamed European club being rejected. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Hearts are winless in four league meetings with Kilmarnock (D2 L2), losing their past two in a row.

• Kilmarnock have only lost one of their past 10 Scottish Premiership games away to Hearts (W6 D3), a 3-1 defeat in December 2022.

• Hearts have kept a clean sheet in their past three league games, as many as their previous 22 beforehand. Not since January 2018 have Hearts gone longer without conceding in the Premiership (seven games).

• Kilmarnock are winless in six away league outings (D2 L4), with their last such win coming in October at Hearts (2-1).

• Only Celtic (345) have recorded more pressed sequences in the league this season than Hearts (307), while only Celtic (188) and Rangers (180) have forced more high turnovers than the Tynecastle side (153).

Brann have reached an agreement with Hearts for the transfer of midfielder Sander Kartum and the 29-year-old Norwegian is expected to travel to Edinburgh for a medical before a move said to be worth £320,000. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Hearts midfielder Macaulay Tait, 19, is set to join Livingston on loan. (Hearts Standard), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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A conversation with former Hearts midfielder Peter Haring helped seal Michael Steinwender's move to Tynecastle.

The 24-year-old Austrian has joined the Gorgie side on a three-and-a-half-year deal from IFK Varnamo in Sweden's top flight.

The defender's agent was a team-mate of Haring at Rapid Vienna and also played alongside former ex-Hearts player Donis Avdijaj at Hartberg.

"They only said good things about the club," Steinwender told HeartsTV. "And when I heard about the fans and the crowd, I was very excited to come here."

On what he feels he can bring to the team, the centre-back, who is available for this weekend's match with Kilmarnock, added: "I would say my attributes are I like to defend.

"I like headers, I like to talk a lot with my people and try to help everybody. That's how I am. And I have the attribute to be very fast."

Steinwender "almost got goosebumps" on a tour of Hearts' facilities, adding: "It's impressive. The stadium and then also in Oriam, they have everything. In my old club, it was not like that.

"I can't wait to step my first foot into the stadium and play a game. I'm very excited to be here and very happy."