Heart of Midlothian

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Cammy Devlin is aiming for more famous European nights at Tynecastle - much like this season's incredible comeback victory over Rosenborg.

The 25-year-old was twice on target as Hearts roared back to defeat the Norwegian side and sent the Gorgie faithful wild.

"My favourite Tynecastle memory is definitely the win against Rosenborg," the Australian international told club media.

"Obviously a massive game where we lost the first leg and then coming back to Tynecastle, we always back ourselves, especially on a European night. They're super special and it's something we want to get more of.

"Scoring two goals which you don't see very often from myself, definitely up there in the [best] nights of my career. Probably my favourite night.

"Tynecastle is so special for so many reasons. The noise and the atmosphere you guys [Hearts fans] create for us is so beneficial. I think for any player coming here to play against us it's very daunting.

"We all consider ourselves very lucky to play here at Tynecastle."

We're firmly into the business end of the season.

For Hearts, third place looks pretty much wrapped up, meaning the Scottish Cup may be their main focus after the international break. We want to know how you're feeling as we head into the final weeks of the campaign.

How confident are you the Scottish Cup will be wearing maroon come May? Which players would you like to see step up in the last part of the season? And how do you feel about Hearts' reported transfer business as you look ahead to next term?

Give us your thoughts.

Motherwell midfielder Blair Spittal and Livingston full-back James Penrice will join Hearts in the summer under freedom of contract. (Daily Record), external

Hearts are unlikely to let Calem Nieuwenhof represent the Australia Under-23 national team should they want to call the midfielder up for next month's Olympic qualifiers. (Scotsman), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Hearts defender Kye Rowles scored his first international goal as Australia beat Lebanon 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Sydney.

The 25-year-old doubled the Socceroos' lead in the second half, firing home after a corner dropped to him in the box.

St Mirren midfielder Keanu Baccus had given Australia the lead early on, as his cross looped over the Lebanon keeper.

Hearts defender Craig Halkett is to have an exploratory knee operation. (Record), external

Peter Haring, who has had surgery on his knee, has not yet opened contract talks with Hearts with the midfielder's current deal expiring in the summer. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

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Steve Clarke has a "big decision" on his hands to choose which Hearts goalkeeper starts for his side at Euro 2024, according to former Scotland international Lee McCulloch.

Zander Clark has been a mainstay in Steven Naismith's Hearts team this season with 37 appearances, and also started Scotland's last three matches, while 41-year-old Craig Gordon has only started three cup games for the same club this season.

While injury has sidelined the keeper for most of the season, he has been unable to dislodge Clark since returning, leaving the Scotland boss with a dilemma.

“From being outside the Old Firm as well, I think it’s a testament to both goalkeepers,” McCulloch said.

“Zander has come in as a number two but obviously as happens in football, players get injured so it opened the door for him and he has been fantastic. He has kept that number one spot.

“Craig at the age he is, to come back from that horrific injury to start playing games again is just perfect timing. I think Steve Clarke has a big decision on his hands.

“He has an outstanding attitude and an outstanding outlook on life and how everything is focused around his football. How professional he is is what I mean by that.

“How long [he will continue] I don’t know. At 41 to still be as fit as he is and come back from that injury and put on the performances he has in the three games he has played this season is fantastic.”

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland

There is undoubtedly a huge disappointment from a Hearts perspective at the defeat in Dingwall on Saturday, but the international break has probably come at the right time for Steven Naismith's side.

With a healthy advantage in the table over closest pursuers Kilmarnock, Hearts' position in third is all but secured.

However, the defeat to County shows that some personnel changes might have to happen if they are to improve again next season.

Lengthy injuries this season to both Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles haven't allowed a consistent defensive line-up and the bedrock of most success comes from the back.

Naismith has been searching for a nailed-on choice at right-back, and while Dexter Lembikisa has shown what he can do going forward, his frailties in defence have been exposed.

Now is the time for some big calls to be made. Of those, Beni Baningime's situation is probably the most pressing. The 25-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has been impressive recently. He will no doubt have other clubs seeking to utilise his talents.

There are some big matches for Hearts after the break with a Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden against Rangers eagerly anticipated.

The management team will no doubt be looking forward to this one and with an equal distribution of tickets, Hearts fans will be in full voice in mid-April at the national stadium.

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Hearts say they are "surprised" their appeal against Lawrence Shankland's booking for diving has been thrown out.

The Tynecastle captain went down in the box under pressure of Ross County defender Ryan Leak in Steven Naismith's side 2-1 defeat on Saturday.

A club statement said: "Heart of Midlothian is surprised to learn that the club’s appeal against Lawrence Shankland’s yellow card for simulation against Ross County has been dismissed.

"The opposing player’s knee can clearly be seen connecting with Lawrence’s thigh, which we highlighted as evidence at the appeal.

"The club will learn the reasoning behind the dismissal later this week, at which point we may comment further."

• Watch: Shankland booked for diving in Hearts' defeat in Dingwall

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Hearts goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher has backed both Zander Clark and Craig Gordon to head to the Euros with Scotland.

The Tynecastle goalkeepers feature in Steve Clarke's squad for friendlies against The Netherlands and Northern Ireland, but the manager says one of the four keepers in this camp - which also includes Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly - will miss out.

“They’ve both worked ever so hard to get to where they are, both for different reasons,” the former Scotland goalkeeper told PA.

“It’s a privilege to work with the two of them and I truly hope they both go to the Euros.

“Craig’s back, he’s absolutely back. “You see him make saves every day in training and you just go ‘yep, that’s him back’.

“He’s got himself into a fantastic condition, he’s back to where he was before the injury. He’s top-notch, he’s world class at times, he really is.

“Obviously he’s not getting any younger but he keeps on pushing, and I think that’s pushing Zander on as well. You can see the level Zander’s hit. From where he was to where he is now is night and day.

“He was a good goalkeeper when he first came to the club but he has kicked on under severe pressure.

“Not a lot of folk could cope with that pressure of coming in to replace Craig Gordon, a Hearts legend, but he’s stood up and done it, which is no easy feat. That cannot be underestimated."

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Makenzie Kirk has signed a new contract that will see him remain at Hearts until the summer of 2025.

The 20-year-old was prolific for the Hearts B team in the Lowland League, scoring 27 goals before joining Hamilton Accies on loan in January.

Kirk has had limited playing time with the League One outfit since joining and is yet to score, but B team head coach Liam Fox praised his "impressive" performances for his side.

"With Mak, everyone will speak about his goals during the first half of the season, and rightly so, but he also produced some really impressive performances in those games, which was equally pleasing for me," Fox told Hearts FC, external.

"As a club, we made the decision to put him on loan for the second half of the season, to further his career, and although, he will not have played as much as he would’ve liked, it highlights how difficult it is to be a first team player.

"This will be a learning experience for Mak. It's great that he has been rewarded for his efforts, in the shape of this new contract and I have no doubt that he will come back next season stronger and ready to work hard."

We asked for your thoughts after Hearts lost 2-1 to Ross County in Dingwall.

Here's what you had to say:

Chris: Refereeing once again poor, you become numb to it. [Tony] Sibbick proving once again he’s a liability. Got what we deserved - nothing.

Fraser: Prior to the game it was Sibbick and [Nathaniel] Atkinson who were making me nervous and post-match I realise these nerves were justified. Amazed at Atkinson continually making the [Australian] squad. Sibbick is great in patches for Hearts but all too often let’s me down. New right back needed ASAP.

Ian: No point in moaning about VAR when you defend as badly as we did. If [Lawrence] Shankland doesn't score we toil. As well as needing the other forwards to score more, where are the attacking midfielders? I expect the points gap between us and whoever finishes fourth to become smaller in the next couple of months.

Bob: Disgusting decision from the referee. We cannot seem to go one week [in Scotland] without easily avoidable controversy. That said, we were bad and defensively inept. Early in the game our back line performed poorly and we were lethargic in attack. It cost us dearly.

David: Disappointing result but should be taken in context of the good run we have had of late. Frankie Kent is a big miss and for me Atkinson, Sibbick and Jorge Grant are not to the required standard.

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• Ross County have beaten Hearts for the first time in the Scottish Premiership since 1 March 2017, a run of 14 games without a win.

• Jorge Grant assisted his fourth goal in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Simon Murray scored his ninth goal this season, more than any other Ross County player in the Scottish Premiership.

• Ross County have scored seven goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (12) and Hearts (eight) have scored more in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Alan Forrest has attempted eight shots, his highest total in a single match in the Scottish Premiership.

• Ross County have a record of W4, D2, L0 when leading at half-time in the Scottish Premiership this season.

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Hearts head coach Steven Naismith told BBC Scotland: "It's disappointing. When we defend the way we did, it gives them the opportunity. It makes our job much harder.

"We did well to put them under pressure in the final third, lacking that wee bit of quality to get a goal earlier in the game.

"The free-kick we score should have been given, I think that's the wrong decision and it costs us the opportunity to get that goal earlier in the game.

"The fourth official said the goalkeeper was having to lean for his view of Lawrence [Shankland], I disagree with that. I think he's looking round the wall. I don't think Lawrence is impacting it at all. I'm a bit disappointed with that decision because I think it's cost us a point."

On the decision that saw Shankland booked for diving, he said: "I don't think it's a penalty, I don't think it's a dive. I think some of the decisions today were naive."

Did you make the long trip to the Highlands?

Whether you headed north or followed from home, we want to know your thoughts on Hearts' defeat to Ross County.

Get in touch.

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hearts weren’t their typical selves at a ground they’ve enjoyed immense success over the past decade.

Far more flustered at the back – perhaps due to the absence of Frankie Kent – while their attack was blunt. Even Lawrence Shankland.

The main frustration for the travelling support will decisions on the day, but regardless, they have set a standard far higher that what they showed at one of the league’s bottom sides.

Just their second defeat in 17 games in all competitions, Steven Naismith will search for a fast response to ensure Hearts’ brilliant season doesn’t flicker out.

Alan Forrest looked the most menacing on a day Hearts were off the boil.

He posed questions of a solid County backline and did all he could to lift the side as they stuttered to defeat.

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There's four changes for Hearts from Monday's Scottish Cup tie with Greenock Morton.

Zander Clark returns in goals, while Alex Cochrane and Nathaniel Atkinson are back in a five-man defence. 20-year-old Aidan Denholm slots into midfield.

Heading out are Craig Gordon, Dexter Lembikisa, Cammy Devlin and Jorge Grant.

• Follow our live coverage

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Ross County: Wickens, Efete, Baldwin, Ayina, Leak, Reid, Randall, Loturi, Dhanda, Murray, White.

Substitutes: Laidlaw, Borthwick-Jackson, Brown, Sims, Sheaf, Harmon, Henderson, Khela, Brophy.

Hearts: Clark, Atkinson, Sibbick, Kingsley, Rowles, Cochrane, Denholm, Baningime, Forrest, Vargas, Shankland.

Substitutes: Gordon, Grant, Oda, Devlin, Tait, Fraser, Tagawa, McLuckie, Lembikisa.