Heart of Midlothian

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Steven Naismith hopes Hearts can "further develop their team spirit" during a week-long training camp in Tenerife in July.

The head coach has promised double sessions when his side fly out to the Canary Islands for seven days of "intense warm weather training".

The Gorgie side had already confirmed two pre-season friendlies, first hosting Leyton Orient at Tynecastle on 13 July before travelling to Fleetwood Town on 27 July.

Hearts will find out their Europa League play-off round opponents on 5 August before a two-legged affair on 22 and 29 August.

“Warm weather training has become an essential part of pre-season as we prepare for the season ahead," Naismith told club media.

“The players will be working every day – double sessions and gym – so the camp gives them the best chance of building up a base level of fitness, which will be required as we participate on both domestic and European fronts.

“It’s also a great opportunity for the boys to spend time with each other and further develop the team spirit that played a huge role in our success last season.”

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Kenneth Vargas is eyeing a place at this summer's Copa America after being called up to Costa Rica's provisional training squad.

The Hearts striker - who has four international caps - will have the chance to impress manager Luis Fernando Suarez in three friendly matches.

Uruguay travel to Costa Rica on Friday, before St Kitts and Nevis make the trip six days later. Vargas' side then travel to Greneda on 9 June.

The 22-year-old will be hoping his form at Tynecastle, grabbing nine goals and four assists in his debut season, will earn him a spot in the final squad to be announced following the friendlies.

Costa Rica will play Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay in Group D of the tournament, which kicks off on 20 June in the United States.

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Hearts' hopes of receiving a bye straight into the Europa League group stage have been scuppered courtesy of Atalanta's fourth-placed finish in Serie A.

After the Italian outfit beat Bayer Leverkusen to win Europe's second tier competition on Wednesday, Steven Naismith's side were eyeing an easier path into the competition.

Had Atalanta finished fifth - and Borussia Dortmund won the Champions League on Saturday - a place in the group stage was Hearts'.

But having defeated Torino 3-0 on Saturday, the Bergamo side are confirmed to be in the top four, meaning Jambos can put their Dortmund scarves away for now.

Of course, Hearts are still guaranteed group stage European football, with the Conference League providing a safety net if they lose their Europa League play-off.

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Heart of Midlothian-bound Yan Dhanda has confirmed his departure from Ross County, saying he has improved as a player and person during his two years in Dingwall.

The 25-year-old English midfielder helped Don Cowie's side beat Raith Rovers 4-0 - and 6-1 on aggregate - in Sunday's Scottish Premiership Play-off final to extend their stay in the top flight.

Hearts had already announced his summer move to Tynecastle at the end of his contract and Dhanda said on X: "After an amazing two years at Ross County, it's time to move on.

"This is the most I have enjoyed my football and I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to improve as a player as well as a person.

"It was an honour to have the privilege to captain this club and that will stick with me forever."

Dhanda, who had previously been with Swansea City, thanked the managers he had worked with, along with team-mates, staff, chief executive, chairman and fans for "making me feel so welcome".

"Hearing you sing my name is something I have dreamt of since a young boy," he told the club's supporters.

"This club is staying in the Premiership where it belongs. See you all again very soon."

Former Hearts midfielder Robert Snodgrass was booed during a live show at the Hydro after he criticised his former teammate and manager Steven Naismith. (Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Saturday's gossip here.

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There will be many Hearts fans who were already planning to cheer on underdogs Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League final against European kings Real Madrid next weekend.

But how could a momentous victory for the German side affect the Gorgie outfit?

With Atalanta spectacularly ending Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run to win the Europa League on Wednesday night, Hearts are one step closer to automatically entering the group stage of that competition next term, as reported by Scotland's Coefficient on X, external.

Steven Naismith's men are already guaranteed group-stage football and are currently scheduled to enter the Europa League play-off round. A defeat there would see them drop into the Conference League, as they did in 2022.

But Hearts need two things to happen to ensure a shift in the coefficient rankings that would result in them going straight into the more lucrative second-tier competition.

The first is Dortmund to lift the Champions League next Saturday. The other is that Atalanta - currently fifth, with a game in hand and two matches left - fail to finish in the top four of Serie A.

Hearts will be hoping the Bergamo side already have their minds on summer holidays after the hard graft of Europa glory.

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Craig Gordon shouldn't be taken to the Euros out of "sentiment" and must be ready to play, says former Scotland team-mate James McFadden.

The 41-year-old Hearts captain was named alongside fellow Tynecastle goalkeeper Zander Clark - as well as Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly - in Steve Clarke's provisional squad for next month's tournament.

Having returned to action earlier this year following a double leg break at the tail end of 2022, Gordon has struggled to force his way back into the Hearts team, which concerns McFadden.

"The best Craig Gordon is better than Zander Clarke, but if Craig's back to his best, he should be playing every week for Hearts and he hasn't been," he told BBC's Football Daily podcast.

"I get the experience, a fantastic goalkeeper. One of the best I've played with. I'd love him to go to the Euros, but not out of sentiment.

"He has to be at the level to be ready to play. If he's not, as terrible as this sounds, he shouldn't be there."

The Times' Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant expects Gordon's wealth of experience to earn him a seat on the plane.

"I don't think Craig Gordon is back in the squad for no reason, he said. "I think Craig's experience will count heavily is his favour with Steve Clarke.

"Gunn is the first choice goalkeeper, I suspect if he goes down to three goalkeepers it'll be Clark and Gordon who go with him."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

When Kyosuke Tagawa thundered home a volley with the final kick of the season against Rangers, the roof almost came off Tynecastle such was the euphoria inside the ground.

Many Hearts fans went into the season with some trepidation. There was a rookie manager in charge and a squad that was not to everyone’s pleasing, but it ended with a sense of glee.

And yet there were early doubts.

Defeat in both legs to PAOK quickly ended Hearts' run in Europe and the knives were out for Steven Naismith after Premiership losses to Dundee, St Mirren and Motherwell.

But the manager never panicked. And more importantly neither did the players. That calmness was shown on the pitch by the amount of times Hearts fought back in games.

The run of 12 unbeaten matches from early December through to the end of February then ensured this was a campaign to savour.

With 26 wins from 49 matches the season has to be regarded as a success story.

In comparison, there were just 19 wins from 50 games in the 2022-23 campaign, so there has clearly been vast improvement.

Much of that is down to Lawrence Shankland, who scored 31 goals in another remarkable season.

While it would be terrific for the fans to see the Scotland striker sign a new contract, there has to also be a sense of realism. If the money is right for the club and the move is the correct one for Shankland, he will probably be on his way.

With the distinct possibility of a money-spinning Europa League group-stage campaign ahead, there will be plenty of players interested in joining Hearts for what could be another breathtaking campaign.

Until then the fans can look back on what was incredible season of football at Tynecastle.

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Atalanta's Europa League final win has boosted Hearts' hopes of direct entry into the group stage of next season's competition, which would be sealed if Borussia Dortmund defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League final. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Hearts trio Zander Clark, Craig Gordon and Lawrence Shankland have all been named in Steve Clarke’s provisional 28-man Scotland squad for Euro 2024.

Clark and Gordon are two of four goalkeepers picked, along with Motherwell’s Liam Kelly and Norwich City’s Angus Gunn.

Shankland was a must pick given his stunning season for Hearts, scoring 31 goals in all competitions. He has two Scotland goals in nine international appearances.

The squad will be cut to 26 players before the tournament itself, where Scotland take on Germany (14 June), Switzerland (19 June) and Hungary (23 June) in Group A.

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Hearts will face Charlie Adam's Fleetwood Town in a pre-season friendly this summer.

The Europe-bound Jambos head to Highbury Stadium on Saturday, 27 July for a 15:00 BST kick-off.

Fleetwood are preparing for life in English League Two after relegation this season.

The trip to Lancashire is Hearts' second confirmed friendly this summer as they will host Leyton Orient on Saturday, 13 July as part of the Tynecastle club's 150-year celebrations.

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Will Hearts goalkeepers Zander Clark and Craig Gordon both go to the Euros with Scotland?

They certainly should, according to all six BBC Scotland pundits each tasked with choosing their preferred 26-man squad.

Both Clark and Gordon got the nod from ex-Hearts players Michael Stewart and Neil McCann as well as fellow panellists Leanne Crichton, Peter Grant, Steven Thompson and Tom English.

Prolific Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland is another cert for a place on the plane according to our pundits, while McCann also included Tynecastle-bound Motherwell midfielder Blair Spittal, who has enjoyed a fine season at Fir Park.

However, there was no love for Stephen Kingsley. Some have mooted the versatile Hearts defender, but not one of our pundits opted for him.

Read more: Who would BBC pundits have in their Scotland squad?

The Sportscene team discuss whether Lawrence Shankland's latest goal will be enough to see the Hearts striker start Scotland's opening game of Euro 2024.

Available to UK users only.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hearts finished their season with a battling 3-3 draw against Rangers at Tynecastle, and Yutaro Oda impressed for Steven Naismith's side.

He is certainly a talented individual who has improved over the season.

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Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark believes he has "probably done enough" to earn a call-up to the Scotland squad for the Euros.

The 31-year-old made 35 league appearances as the the Tynecastle side romped to third place in the Scottish Premiership.

With Hearts' season over, Clark can only wait for the call to know whether he will be on the plane to Germany.

“It’s out of our hands now, it’s the manager’s decision," he said.

“I feel that, over the course of the season, I’ve probably done enough but I don’t want to count the chickens before they are hatched.

“We’ll wait and see. It was good to get back on the grass on Saturday and turn in a decent enough performance.

“I’ve been happy [with form] and it helps when the team is doing well

“It gives you that bit of confidence. I’ve been delighted with the contributions I’ve made throughout the season.

"When you finish the season so highly in the league and so well it’s always pleasing."

We asked for your thoughts after Hearts roared back to seal a thrilling 3-3 draw with Rangers.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Kuptin: Fantastic entertainment, six great goals. Probably Hearts' best player was Zander Clark, although nobody was a failure.

Bob: What a finish. We have been terrible against the Rangers for the last three or four years and after 80 mins this looked like another pummelling. But we have been great at recovery from adversity this season and Kyosuke Tagawa's strike was thoroughly deserved. Well done Hearts. Bring on next season.

Steve: Great to finish third but without Lawrence Shankland we’re a mid-table side. Desperately need a right-back with Stephen Kingsley back on the left. Looking forward to our new signings arriving but Toby Sibbick, Jorge Grant, Alex Cochrane, Liam Boyce and Nathaniel Atkinson need emptied to make room for far better players. Looking forward to seeing how young James Wilson progresses.

Gordon: Good character to come back and draw the game. I think offensively we have really good options, Yan Dhanda and Blair Spittal coming in will only add to that. My main concern (Apart from losing Shankland) is the amount of weak goals we give away especially against the better sides. 16 goals we've conceded against Rangers this season. Needs to be better.

Jim: Season done, third place. We could and should be better. Need a clear out as some players just not good enough. Laddies coming through look okay but yesterday showed that they will only get a game now and then roll on Europe.

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• Rangers have scored in 35 of their 38 games, more often than any other team in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Hearts have won 13 points from losing positions in the Scottish Premiership this season, only Motherwell (19) and Rangers (18) have recovered more.

• Cyriel Dessers has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Scottish Premiership (two goals, one assist).

• Frankie Kent assisted his fourth goal in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Lawrence Shankland talks to BBC Scotland after Hearts finished their season with a 3-3 draw against Rangers.