Heart of Midlothian

We asked you to name Hearts' best cult hero signings - the player that showed up with little expectation (and perhaps ability) but won over the support.

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

Kevin: There is only one answer. RUUUUDDDDIIIIIII SKACEL.

Iain: Husref Musemic! A fairly poor player all round who I think we spent 350k on which was a lot of money for Hearts in the late 1980s. But he scored the only goal of the game in his first Edinburgh derby, so unsurprisingly the fans took very well to him.

Bob: Pasquale Bruno was one of my favourite signings. Signed from Lecce, he was in the twilight of his career but he instilled a confidence in a young defence that was sorely missing. He had a great touch and a passion for football that few could match.

Kenny: Bruno, already titled “animal” from his time in Serie A, was an absolute no limits player who helped Hearts be a proper challenger team in the mid 90s. Animal? Monster! Fans loved him and his absolute commitment.

Iain: The obvious answer is Rudi Skacel but going back a few years we had our very own Baggio... Stevie Fulton with a wand of a left foot and good looks to go with it.

Paul: Osman Sow was unheard of, but who could forget his rampage against the green half of the city?

Phil: Tommi Gronlund! He flew so far under the radar that he will barely be remembered by the masses, but he remains a fondly thought of, ferocious Finn.

Ian: Dutch forward Genero Zeefuik who scored 10 goals in 15 league games in season 2014-15. He joined on loan in January 2015 until the end of the season. Three of those goals included a hat-trick in around three minutes in a 10-0 home win against Cowdenbeath.

Anon: Jose Quitongo. Fab player, lots of tricks and skill. Great late equaliser against Celtic, some time ago now.

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Hearts goalkeeper Harry Stone has joined Ayr United on a season-long loan deal.

The 22-year-old will join Scott Brown's Championship side after a successful stint at third-tier Queen of the South - winning the club's player of the year award.

Stone finds himself behind Zander Clarke and Craig Gordon in the Tynecastle pecking order, but head coach Steven Naismith believes a spell at Somerset Park will be "invaluable" for the player.

“Harry enjoyed a really good season with Queen of the South and earned a lot of plaudits for his performances," he said.

“We want to him to keep that momentum going and Ayr United, we believe, will be a great environment for him to continue to develop.

“It’s a level up so it will be a challenge for him, but he’s a player we rate very highly.

"The onus is on Harry to keep on progressing and achieve the standards we know he’s capable of.”

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Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland's red-hot domestic form has seen his transfer market value rise, according to Transfermarkt.

The Scotland striker scored 31 goals for Hearts in all competitions last season, was named PFA Scotland player of the year, and is now valued at €4m by the transfers and market value website - a rise of €1.5m.

Shankland has been named in Steve Clarke's 28-man provisional squad for this summer's Euros and will be hoping to take his goal-scoring form onto the international stage.

Players come and go, but sometimes a new face will arrive and win the hearts (no pun intended) of supporters unexpectedly.

Who's the lesser-remembered player that showed up at Tynecastle with little expectation and perhaps had more passion than talent, but turned into a hero loved across the fanbase?

Give us your shout. , external

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Joe Savage intends to resign from his Heart of Midlothian sporting director role after three-and-a-half years in post. (Record), external

Meanwhile, Hearts have received two offers of new capital in recent months and are open to investment. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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20 years ago today, Craig Gordon made his Scotland debut.

Two decades later he's in the provisional squad for Euro 2024 and could become the nation's oldest ever player if he makes it onto the park in Germany.

Now 41, the fresh-faced goalkeeper earned his first cap on 30 May 2004 as Berti Vogts' side trounced Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 at Easter Road.

Darren Fletcher, Gary Holt, Gary Caldwell and Nigel Quashie were on the scoresheet in an emphatic win in the capital.

Back then, would young Gordon have expected he'd still be playing for Hearts and Scotland all these years later?

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Cammy Devlin believes Hearts' strength in depth is the best its been since the Australian arrived at Tynecastle - and having a strong squad should now be the norm.

The midfielder is looking ahead to tasting European football again with the Gorgie club after he spends some time with the national team for World Cup qualifiers.

Reflecting on a successful season with Hearts, Devlin says returning to the continent was one of the key goals for Steven Naismith's side.

"A lot of individuals have been superb," the 25-year-old told club media, external.

"The squad depth we've got is really good, probably the best its been since I've been here. I feel like that should be normal for a club like Hearts.

"European football is definitely one of the goals we set out at the start of the season. It's been a massively positive season for the whole club.

"Playing in Europe for Hearts is the best, it's one of the best experiences you'll get.

"As a fan, I imagine it's the pinnacle to watch your team on European trips. To be a small part of that is super special."

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Chief executive Neil Doncaster says crowd figures are "hugely promising" after the SPFL broke its attendance record for the second year running.

Over 5.15m supporters took to the stands to watch their side across all SPFL competitions in 2023-24, covering the Premiership, Championship, League 1, League 2, League Cup and the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The year-on-year figure marks an increase of 64,122 on the season prior's record high, when the number of people attending SPFL matches surpassed 5m for the first time.

A total of of 4,746,052 fans attended games across the four divisions, with Premiership matches attracting 3,760,765.

Scotland continues to have the best attendances figures per capita across its top four divisions in Europe with 21.3 per 1000 people - 65% ahead of second-placed the Netherlands.

Doncaster said: “After topping five million fans across an SPFL season for the first time in season 2022/23, it is hugely promising to see attendances growing even further this season.

“Our supporters are renowned across the world for their dedication and passion and regularly record the highest per capita attendance in Europe."

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Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is desperate to make up for lost time on his return to the Australia squad.

Devlin, 25, missed the Asian Cup earlier this year due to an ankle injury and hasn't played for his country in over a year.

But he has been handed a recall for the World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine next month after reclaiming his Hearts place in the final two months of the season.

"It means the absolute world to me to be back in the Australia fold. Missing out on the last couple of camps has given that me extra hunger to get back there and stay there," said Devlin.

"Through injury I missed out on three-and-a-half months of football, including the Asian Cup.

"I feel like I finished the season really strongly and I knew if I did that the goal was to be up for selection. I've made that possible and I'm super excited.

"Putting the jersey on is super special. As a kid I grew up watching the Socceroos with my dad and brothers, so to now be in the fortunate position of making that dream a reality is quite surreal and something I don't take for granted.

"Hopefully I go in and impress. We've got two games and I'd love to be part of both as much as I can."

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Hearts are set to welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Tynecastle for a pre-season friendly.

Taking place on Wednesday, 17 July at 19:00 BST, the match is part of the Edinburgh club's 150th-year anniversary celebrations.

It also marks a return to Scotland for ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, whose Spurs side finished fifth in the Premier League during his debut season in England.

The previous encounter between the teams in Gorgie was a 5-0 victory for Spurs in a Europa League qualifier back in 2011.

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Four Premiership players from three clubs feature in Australia's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Hibernian forward Martin Boyle has been named in Graham Arnold's 25-man set-up, along with Hearts duo Cammy Devlin and Kye Rowles.

Departing St Mirren right-back Ryan Strain, who is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, is also in there.

The Socceroos take on Bangladesh and Palestine next month.

Heart of Midlothian have prioritised signing a right-back/wing-back, right winger and defensive midfielder despite head coach Steven Naismith stressing they will not be big spenders this summer even though they secured European football. (Football Scotland), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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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.

Image source, BBC Sport

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