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Hearts must 'utilise squad' amid hectic early-season schedulepublished at 13:15 14 July
13:15 14 July
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Head coach Derek McInnes has highlighted the importance of utilising his Hearts squad in the infancy of his Tynecastle tenure.
The Gorgie side play four times in the space of 12 days, with a trip to face Hamilton at Broadwood in the League Cup next up amid a hectic early-season schedule.
McInnes started his competitive reign at Hearts on Saturday with a 4-1 home victory over Neil Lennon's Dunfermline.
The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss hinted there could be changes to the team for Tuesday's meeting with third-tier Hamilton, but he is striving for a similar outcome.
"We're going to have to utilise the squad, clearly," McInnes told Hearts TV.
"It'll be a tough game as most cup games are, but if we approach it in the right manner, do a lot of what we did right against Dunfermline, hopefully we can have the same outcome.
"We'll see how everybody's fixed in terms of the recovery. It'll not be a completely new team, but there'll be certain areas we can look to freshen up.
"I think you've got to try and utilise that squad. But whatever Hearts team is put out, it'll be a strong team and we're there to go and try to win the game."
'A solid start' or 'a bit of a slog'? - your views on win over Parspublished at 15:32 13 July
15:32 13 July
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We asked you for your view following Hearts' win against Dunfermline in Derek McInnes' first game in charge.
Here's what some of you said:
Stuv: McInnes won't be happy with that performance and Hearts fans most certainly aren't either. However, first game won and I expect to see more new signings blooded as the season progresses.
Alexander: Good win for Hearts to kick the season off. This could of been - and nearly was - tricky. Football played by Hearts was dull, though. We play like that regularly and this will be a long, boring season.
Raymond: Pretty dominant display by Hearts and should have been more clinical in all honesty.
Colin: Solid start, hopefully this is a sign of things to come. Looked bright and passed the ball around, massive improvement from Critchley's shambolic tactics and shape. Time will tell but looking good for future.
Steve: Still confident with McInnes, but same old Hearts! Loads of possession but created little. Devlin and Beni, so slow and lack creativity. We need pace and creativity in midfield.
We can't keep a clean sheet against lower class opposition, Premiership sides will punish us.
Michael: First competitive game of the season so we were always going to be rusty with a new management team as well as some new players, so to win 4-1 is pleasing, as is our two strikers getting off the mark with goals and a peach from Kingsley at the end.
Something to build on for sure and think we're in for an exciting season.
Chesser: A bit of a slog and a similar malaise to last season. No spark from midfield whatsoever. Baningame and Devlin frustratingly cautious. Why was McEntee played at full back when we had a right-sided full back on the bench? Why was Forrest playing when we'd signed a new winger and had him on the bench? Why do we continue with the tactic of having everyone back for opposition corners? Pleased to win but 4-1 flatters us. 2-1 more realistic.
Braga 'accomplished a dream' in Hearts debutpublished at 11:59 13 July
11:59 13 July
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Claudio Braga's Hearts debut was like "accomplishing a dream" as the debutant waxed lyrical about the "crazy" Tynecastle atmosphere.
The Portuguese striker started out on the wing against Dunfermline Athletic, and despite it not being his preferred position, he still managed to show his skill.
"A win and even though it was not a full stadium, it was crazy atmosphere, it really good," the summer signing said of his debut.
"Kind of accomplishing a dream in a way to play in the stadium like this, with that many people, with these guys that have so much quality, so it was a great debut and I'm looking forward for the next game, to be honest.
"When I got to the pitch to start the game and I looked around and the stadium, it just looked bigger. The atmosphere and everything looked amazing, so I'm buzzing to be here.
"We won and that's the most important thing, there's a lot of things that we should work on and we're going to work on for sure.
"We just need to keep working on the best things and keep winning."
Hearts in 'decent form' for season opener against Dunfermlinepublished at 10:48 11 July
10:48 11 July
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Hearts are in "decent nick" for their first game of the season against Dunfermline on Saturday, where "a lot is expected of us", says head coach Derek McInnes.
The Tynecastle club kick off their League Cup campaign at home to the "tough" second-tier side at the weekend after a positive pre-season, which ended with an 8-0 trouncing of East Kilbride earlier in the week.
"A lot of people are anticipating us just turning up and blowing Dunfermline away," the head coach said as he prepares for his first official game in charge.
"It's not as simple as that, especially at this stage of the season, when you're still trying to put your best squad together.
"But, I think we're in decent nick. I think we've had some decent performances with great effort from the players.
"There's no team - even the teams with all the money in the world - at the minute that are happy with their squads.
"Everybody's trying to add, trying to get better, trying to put their final squad together. Unfortunately, in this job, you've got to be a bit more patient.
"I'm happy with the squad we've got going into it. I think we're in some decent form.
"Fitness is good and we're looking forward to it, but it's a tough game. Ideally, Dunfermline might have been the last game in the group because they are the toughest team, but likewise for them with us."
Host Martin Dowden is joined by writer Joel Sked of the Hearts Standard and Scott McIntosh of the Scarves Around the Funnel podcast.
With Lawrence Shankland back to spearhead the attack, the competitive action starts on Saturday for McInnes' men as they host Dunfermline in their League Cup group opener.
Wingers near Hearts moves - gossippublished at 08:50 10 July
08:50 10 July
Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes has revealed Sabah Kerjota will be in Edinburgh this week to complete a £120,000 transfer from Sambenedettese along with fellow winger Pierre Landry Kabore from Narva Trans. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
'Just when we get gift of Shankland staying, we lose Penrice'published at 18:20 9 July
18:20 9 July
Martin Dowden BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
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Image caption,
James Penrice's exit to AEK Athens was the right move, according to Hearts head coach Derek McInnes
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes admits the departure of James Penrice is a "blow" but the "right thing" for the player and club after the left-back sealed a move to Greek side AEK Athens.
The former Kilmarnock manager was still revelling in retaining striker Lawrence Shankland an exit accelerated for Penrice, a player McInnes believes resembled a young Andy Robertson when he arrived at Tynecastle.
"Just when you get your best Christmas present, James Penrice gets sold later that day," he quipped.
"That was a blow for us because we were really looking forward to working with James. But such was the deal for the club and for the boy, it was the right thing.
"I thought it was a brilliant signing for Hearts when they got him. I tried to take him to Kilmarnock. I think he was almost like a young Andy Robertson when he got his move.
"I thought there were similarities. When I got the job at Hearts, I was kind of regretting saying that and thinking: 'I hope we can just hold on to him'. But we always felt he was a slight risk.
"I think he's done brilliantly for Hearts and he's deserving of the opportunity that's been given to him."
Despite that blow, McInnes believes there is potential within the squad to take on Penrice's role.
"We've got Harry Milne and Stephen Kingsley that can play those positions," he explained.
"Harry Milne's a boy who, probably when he signed, was probably seen for this sort of circumstance when James was moved on.
"Such was the high level from James when he signed, he probably caught a few by surprise. I know from speaking to [former head coach Steven Naismith] he was even better than he thought.
"Who's to say Harry can't go and do something similar? It's important we try and get that from whoever's in the building."
Meanwhile, McInnes revealed defender Jamie McCart will not require surgery but faces "six to eight weeks" out with an ankle injury.
The Hearts boss also said goalkeeper Craig Gordon was only "slowly" recovering from a shoulder problem.
On the 42-year-old Scotland international, McInnes said: "I think Craig has his eyes on his testimonial game [against his former club Sunderland on July 26] but I think he's probably got a lot to do to be ready for that."
Falkirk sign Hearts defender Neilson on season-long loanpublished at 13:15 7 July
13:15 7 July
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Lewis Neilson can "make Falkirk better" says manager John McGlynn, as the defender joins on a season-long loan from fellow Premiership side Hearts.
Scotland Under-21 international Neilson has made 23 appearances for the Tynecastle club since joining from Dundee United three years ago.
When at United, Neilson had a loan spell with the Bairns and made eight appearances.
The 22-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at St Johnstone before returning to Gorgie and McGlynn says he has gained "a lot of experience for a player so young".
"I'm delighted to get Lewis in," McGlynn told club media.
"He's a player we've had our eye on for some time and he fits a lot of the credentials that we're looking for.
"He's gained a lot of experience for a player so young. He's played a lot of games, particularly in the Premiership.
"He's got a lot of football in front of him, he's someone that I feel can make us better, and it's a good opportunity for him to continue his development."
Hearts agree fee for winger Kerjota - gossippublished at 09:54 7 July
09:54 7 July
Hearts are set to pay a transfer fee of around £120,000 to sign Albanian winger Sabah Kerjota from the Italian Serie C club US Sambenedettese. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Burkina Faso winger Pierre Landry Kabore will undergo a medical this week before joining Hearts from Estonian side FK Narva Trans. (Hearts Standard), external
'Kabore misses Narva Trans game amid exit to Hearts' - gossippublished at 09:40 6 July
09:40 6 July
Burkina Faso winger Pierre Landry Kabore was not in Narva Trans' squad for their game on Saturday with the 24-year-old expected to join Heart of Midlothian this week. (Joel Sked on X), external
James Penrice's £2m transfer to AEK Athens from Hearts includes a sell-on agreement for the Edinburgh club to receive an additional payment for the left-back they signed from Livingston for free. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Hearts players 'knock their pan in' during Spain trippublished at 15:57 5 July
15:57 5 July
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Hearts' players have been "an absolute joy" during their pre-season camp in Spain and have "knocked their pan in", says new manager Derek McInnes.
The Tynecastle side comfortably beat English League Two side Crawley Town on Friday, with a performance that impressed their boss.
"The game itself was very competitive, with plenty of full-throttle tackles and challenges, and I think that we stood up to that," he said.
"I actually thought there was a wee bit more indication about the team that we want to be in terms of being a bit more natural to play, look forward a bit quicker, look into wide players quicker, look into strikers quicker.
"I think we've had a look at the lads, they've had a look at us and what we're looking at, what we're demanding from them. I think we're getting there."
'Russian club could try to hijack Hearts' Chesnokov deal' - gossippublished at 09:46 5 July
09:46 5 July
Russian club Krylia Sovetov are plotting to hijack Heart of Midlothian's signing of Islam Chesnokov, despite the Kazakhstan winger having already signed a pre-contract agreement with the Edinburgh club, as a transfer fee has not been agreed to secure the 25-year-old's services before his Tobol contract ends in October. (Daily Record), external
A £2m transfer fee has been agreed with AEK Athens for Hearts left-back James Penrice, with the 26-year-old having completed his medical after travelling to the Netherlands on Friday. (Sky Sports), external
James Penrice left Hearts' pre-season training camp in Spain on Friday as the 26-year-old left-back looks to complete a transfer to AEK Athens for a seven-figure fee plus a sell-on clause. (Hearts Standard), external
Pierre Landry Kabore, currently with Estonian club Narva Trans, and Sabah Kerjota, of Serie C club Sambenedettese, will compete for a starting place on Hearts' right flank should they arrive in Edinburgh as expected next week, with negotiations having progressed smoothly. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Hearts have agreed terms with Pierre Landry Kabore, but a transfer fee is still to be agreed with Narva Trans for the Burkina Faso winger while talks are also progressing with Italian fourth-tier outfit Sambendetese for Albanian wide man Sabah Kerjota. (Daily Record), external
Hearts hope to bring in two or three new players before the Premiership season starts as they prepare for life after the sale of left-back James Penrice to AEK Athens. (The Scotsman), external
Should Hearts have said 'goodbye' to Shankland or is he 'best signing so far'?published at 20:27 4 July
20:27 4 July
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We asked for your views after Lawrence Shankland - eventually - committed his future to Hearts.
Here's what some of you said:
William: It's been a long drawn out saga, but it's a happy ending in my book. Lawrence has been fantastic for the club with so many goals and assists. I think he has made the right decision by staying at Hearts.
Now, all I want is that the fans to support him like we have in the past, time for us to move on.
Alan: Excellent news and just what I wanted to hear. Shankland is a proven goal scorer and with the new signings provides good options up front. He had a poor season by his standard and despite being messed around by very poor managers and tactics, he gave his all for Hearts.
He is a Hearts-type of player, professional, great role model, committed and knows where the net is. Superb business and news for everyone.
Jerry: His chances of getting back into the Scotland squad hinge on getting game time, he wouldn't have got that warming the bench at Rangers or West Brom. At Hearts he'll play a lot and score a lot, it's a win-win. There could possibly be a bit of backlash from fans but that will disappear once he starts banging goals in.
Peter: Good move, both from a playing perspective as they have retained a player that the manager was desperate to keep and hopefully will get the best from him, and also makes from a financial sense. Inas much as they have upped his wages, but it also means they have not had to pay out a large transfer fee plus associated wages to get someone in.
Alan: Delighted Lawrence is staying after all the speculation. He would be a great addition to any team in the Premiership and with our squad, now I'm confident we will be up there competing for a top three spot again.
Derek: The saga dragging on wasn't good to watch as a fan, but I understand he needed to be sure before committing, and the club needed to get the best deal for them. Shankland signing is a good thing for both, if he's got his head screwed on and scoring goals again.
Not sure if it was his agent, or the media, turning his head before, or if he wasn't happy under previous managers - but that's in the past.
Let's see him score 25 plus goals again this season, and kick on back up the league.
Jamie: No player is bigger than the club, he has only stayed because no one wanted him. After he turned down the last offer Hearts should have said goodbye to him.
This has just been pure greed, bigger and better players have left and we still survived.
He shouldn't be captain either, give it to a player who wants to be there and play for the jersey he has a cheek to say it was an easy decision to stay. There are better players there on less wages and bonuses. Pretty embarrassing to be honest.
Garry: It's got to be the best signing so far regardless of what some people say. If he wasn't previously a Hearts player and was available on a free transfer I'm pretty certain Hearts would have been trying their best to sign him. Delighted he's chosen the right move.
Hearts breeze by Crawley Town in final pre-season game in Spainpublished at 20:26 4 July
20:26 4 July
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Hearts rounded-off their pre-season training camp in Spain with a comfortable victory over English League Two side Crawley Town.
Derek McInnes' side were in front inside the opening five minutes as Crawley goalkeeper Harvey Davies knocked the ball into his own net.
Alan Forrest doubled the Jambos' advantage with a volley, but their lead was halved when Louis Flower slipped the ball beneath Ryan Fulton.
McInnes sent out a whole new side for the second half, and with 20 minutes to go, they restored their two-goal lead - James Wilson tapping in from the back post.
Lawrence Shankland came on for the uneventful final 20 minutes after joining up with the squad for their final few days.
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