Heart of Midlothian

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St Johnstone have confirmed Hearts defender Adam Forrester has returned to the Perth club on loan as part of the two clubs' cooperation agreement.

Forrester initially moved to McDiarmid Park last month before being recalled by Hearts because of an injury to fellow right-back Christian Borchgrevink.

He could make his first appearance for Saints on Saturday at Raith Rovers.

"Adam Forrester will go back to St Johnstone now," McInnes told Hearts' website last week.

"We brought Adam back a couple of weeks ago, basically because we'd had a couple of inquiries about one or two of our defenders and we just decided to wait and let the window close before we make a decision on that.

"Christian Borchgrevink will hopefully be back in the next three weeks or so, three to four weeks. And we do think that it would be fair for Adam to go out now. And Adam's understanding all that."

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Former Hearts and Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson says Celtic's transfer window has turned what was a "one-horse race" in the Scottish Premiership to a two, or potentially even a three-horse race.

Neilson believes the pressure is on Celtic as their rivals have spent big in strengthening their squads while Brendan Rodgers' side have spent relatively low.

"Right through the transfer window Celtic were waiting to see whether they qualified for the Champions League before they went and spent, whether it was spending high or spending low," said Neilson on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Obviously, they didn't make the Champions League group stages and it looks to me as if they're spending low.

"When you look at what's happened at the other side of the city, the money that's getting spent there, there's definitely pressure now getting put in on Celtic.

"At the start of the season, I said it was probably going to be a one-horse race. Now I think it's potentially a two, maybe even a three, if you look at what Hearts have done."

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Hearts and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 42, made his comeback from a neck injury in Tuesday's 3-1 closed doors win over Dunfermline Athletic. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, Hearts full-back Adam Forrester is to return to St Johnstone on loan - and more exits could follow. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Derek McInnes has sought to shoot down "this perception that we're paying millions of pounds" to bolster his Hearts squad.

The Tynecastle club made 11 signings this summer, including a club record fee paid to bring 23-year-old midfielder Ageu from Santa Clara in Portugal's top flight.

"Obviously, Ageu was a significant signing, but it comes into our structure wages-wise and it was a signing that the club deserve a lot of credit for, because it was a significant fee," head coach McInnes told his club website.

"We feel that that fee will be justified and we're going to show his quality with us. But every other signing has been relatively quite simple and not way above what the expectations would be here at the club."

McInnes said "we're pleased" with the additions they have been able to make to the squad with the help of their new Jamestown Analytics recruitment partners.

"They're clearly talented players," he said. "Their best years are ahead of them. But that's what we want. We want players who have got that next level in them and that potential."

McInnes is already seeing improvements.

"I think you see from the attacking side of it," he said. "We've scored 10 goals in four games in the league. I think we've scored numerous goals throughout the League Cup campaign. All the stats will show that we're getting more touches in the penalty box than any other team.

"There are a lot of late wins, players going right to the wire. That's always a good indication of a team who cares and get a lot of personality. And a lot of fitness as well about the team."

However, McInnes wants "more clean sheets".

We asked for your views on Hearts' business in the summer transfer window under Derek McInnes.

Here's what some of you said:

Graham: Overall a decent window for us, although it would have been good to get a solid right-back in. It'll be interesting to see if Zander Clark is dropped for Alexander Schwolow. Clark has had a shaky start to the season, but in his defence he's had a bit of a stop-start time at Hearts so it could be confidence. Only other concern is the size of the squad - would like to have seen a few players moved on, Kenneth Vargas being one.

John: We've done well to address every area of the park this summer. There is a concern that we're putting square pegs in round holes at right-back but that's the only worry for me. Our squad is massive right now which is fine from a fan's perspective but I'm sure it'll give the manager a headache!

Sam: The signings that McInnes has made seem to have had a big impact. I think it would be hard to find a Hearts fan that hasn't seen an improvement since Claudio Braga has arrived and he looks to be the standout so far. I think a right-back would have been handy prior to the window closing.

David: It looks like we've brought some talented players to the club but we can't realistically expect them to gel as a team overnight. The squad is vastly inflated and at least four players need to go as soon as possible, some windows are still open. For me it's Vargas, Calem Nieuwenhof, Sander Kartum and Alan Forrest. I still have a concern with the keeper situation. Let's hope Schwolow performs well and provides real competition in that area.

Steve: Very pleased in this transfer window, Braga, Alexandros Kyziridis, Stuart Findlay, Oisin McEntee and now Ageu, who looks top drawer. Just need to sort out our number one goalkeeper, use Stephen Kingsley at right-back in the interim and we should be in the top three at the end of the season. McInnes has a real goldmine of a squad that obviously needs trimmed down.

Johnny: Overall a very successful window, the squad is now massively overloaded in certain areas though. The club's almost trolling refusal to sign a right-back or versatile defender who can play left-back or right-back really needs to be studied. The crazy amount of midfielders we now have as well is a concern. Will be interesting to see if McInnes can keep everyone happy. Attacking wise it's the best we've looked for many many years. Positive window overall though.

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Hearts moved to sign goalkeeper Alexander Schwollow after hearing that Scotland number one Craig Gordon is taking longer to recover from injury than expected, head coach Derek McInnes has explained.

The 33-year-old German has signed a two-year contract after spending two seasons as back-up with Union Berlin and also faces immediate competition for a starting place at Tynecastle from Zander Clark, who is currently with the Scotland squad.

"Craig was taking a wee bit longer than we'd hoped," McInnes told his club website. "We're keen to get our younger goalkeepers some game time and then the injury to Ryan Fulton kind of accelerated all that.

"The club were good to back us on that and we are delighted that Alex is with us now and hopefully he can come in and do well.

"We've got Craig Gordon working himself back now and that's always pleasing to get somebody of his quality back onto the training pitch. Zander is away with Scotland just now as we know."

McInnes revealed that Hearts had decided "two or three weeks ago" to add a sixth goalkeeper to their senior ranks.

"He adds bags of experience, which obviously I think can be of real benefit in that position," McInnes said of Schwollow.

"He showed a real willingness to be here. He had other options, better financial options back home, such is his pedigree.

"We invited him to the Motherwell game and he really enjoyed what Tynecastle threw up. He was watching the previous games against Aberdeen and he said he liked that too."

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Hearts right-back Adam Forrester will return to St Johnstone on loan, the Scottish Premiership club's head coach, Derek McInnes, has revealed.

The 20-year-old had moved to the Championship outfit as part of one of the new cooperation agreements that allow young players to move more easily between clubs outside of the transfer windows.

But he was recalled by Hearts within days of arriving at McDiarmid Park, and without playing a game, after an injury to summer signing Christian Borchgrevink.

"Adam Forrester will go back to St Johnstone now," McInnes told his club website. "We brought Adam back a couple of weeks ago, basically because we'd had a couple of inquiries about one or two of our defenders and we just decided to wait and let the window close before we make a decision on that.

"Christian Borchgrevink will hopefully be back in the next three weeks or so, three to four weeks. And we do think that it would be fair for Adam to go out now. And Adam's understanding all that."

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has revealed that Musa Drammeh had been "longing for" a move to Portugal or Spain before the forward was sold on deadline day to Liga Portugal 2 club Torreense.

The 23-year-old had played 24 times since arriving from Spanish third-tier outfit Sevilla Atlético just a year ago, but half had come as a substitute.

"He had a few options prior to that, but he decided against that," McInnes told Hearts' website.

"There were a few other things bubbling along in the last few days. A few inquiries here and there and notes of interest. So we were expecting maybe one or two more to possibly go over the last couple of days.

"I think we've still got the option to maybe try and loan out a few players into the Championship. There's still a couple of windows open worldwide as well, even though our window is closed in the UK, so we'll look at that."

While some clubs frantically chased signings on deadline day, Hearts were able to sit with their feet up.

Musa Drammeh departed Tynecastle but the club's incoming business had all been completed, with 33-year-old German goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow following record buy Ageu to become the 11th and final arrival in Derek McInnes' first window in charge.

Hearts fans, are you pleased with the club's transfer business? Does it leave the squad in good shape for the season ahead - or is McInnes light in certain positions?

Share your thoughts here.

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Forward Musa Drammeh has left Hearts to join Liga Portugal 2 side SCU Torreense on undisclosed terms.

The 23-year-old made 24 appearances for Hearts in his debut season last year, scoring three goals.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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It is likely to be a quiet transfer deadline day at Tynecastle, certainly in terms of incomings.

Hearts have concluded their business in terms of new recruits, but there is work ongoing to move one or two players out of the club.

Musa Drammeh looks like he is on his way to a Portugese outfit while there is interest in Kenneth Vargas from a Spanish second division club.

Watch highlights as Hearts score dramatic late winner against Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

The Scottish transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Monday 1 September so there's still time for business to be done.

What do Hearts need to do before the window slams shut?

Have your say here

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Derek McInnes was delighted with the sense of unity he witnessed from his squad as they celebrated Alexandros Kyziridis' late winner away to Livingston on Saturday.

The Greek winger's stoppage-time strike saw Hearts come from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Almondvale in front of 6300 travelling supporters, after Claudio Braga had cancelled out Lewis Smith's opener for the hosts.

The result means McInnes' side go into the international break unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership having won three of their opening four matches.

"10 points from 12 is always a strong start," said McInnes.

"I'm glad that we got to send the punters home happy because there's nothing worse than dropping points going into an international break as a manager because then you start a lot of soul searching.

"We've got a normal working week this week, we'll get a bounce game into the boys who need it. It pleased me no end the celebration when that goal went in. I turned around and saw the boys in the stands celebrating as if they're involved.

"Every player was here from a Hearts perspective, turning up off their own back, all the injured ones being here and cheering in the moment, so it was a really good dressing room at the end of the game.

"We don't get too high with the win but when you've got a crowd like that, it's hard not to be. We'll get back to work on Monday and we'll start to analyse a bit of that because there's plenty to look at."

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Hearts signing Ageu says he has expectations of playing in the English Premier League after making his debut in Saturday's victory over Livingston.

The midfielder joined from Portuguese side Santa Clara earlier this week for a record fee and came on in the second half of the 2-1 win over Livi.

The Brazilian was impressed by the 6000-plus Hearts fans who made the trip across the M8.

"They are incredible," the 23-year-old said.

"I am very impressed so when we scored the second goal, I was very happy.

"I look, I see the fans, so it's amazing. The noise, the passion, I feel this."

Although Ageu felt the move to Edinburgh was a "good opportunity", he is already thinking about his future.

"It was a very good opportunity so when I heard about it I didn't think twice," he added.

"So I only came here. But I have more expectations, more ambitions, so I feel that one day I will be going to the Premier League."

We asked for your views on Hearts' 2-1 victory away to Livingston to nudge them top of the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what you said...

Alex: Another half-time change sealed the win. Three wingers signed and didn't play from the start, I think Derek McInnes is struggling with the selections but getting it done.

Derek: Fairly disappointing first half, which seems to be the theme for our league games this season, but a very much inspired second half. We're going to suffer against better teams if McInnes can't sort this out but there are many positives to take from the match. Another three points, I can't really complain.

Jim: Excellent result, many teams will visit Livingston and come away pointless. We have to address our very slow starts to matches. The next match away to Rangers will answer quite a few questions for both clubs. Rangers will be hurting after their humiliation against Club Brugge and will want to make amends in front of their own fans. The signing of Bjoan Miovski is another threat to our unbeaten league run. If we play our strongest XI and play very positive football from the first whistle we have a good chance. Our new signings are showing a lot of promise and we look very good going forward but we still look shaky at the back.

Ross: A real statement of intent from Hearts and exactly what was needed - a creative midfielder who can make chances for Lawrence Shankland and also chip in with a few goals themselves. All that's needed now before the deadline is a solid goalkeeper.

Liam: Manager has to start getting the starting XI and the formation sorted. I get he doesn't yet fully trust the new boys to start matches but it's so blatantly obvious just how much they improve us when they come on. The positives can't be over looked though, the spirit and never say die attitude is fantastic to see. We 100% wouldn't have won that match under previous managers. We wouldn't have won at Dundee and wouldn't have come back to draw against Motherwell. This team has guts and I love it.

Malkie: We're still a work in progress. Great second half performance, albeit helped by a lucky break ahead of the second goal. The Jamestown Analytics signings look good.

Christopher: Not a great watch at all, it's little individual bits of skill that are keeping us alive in games. The sheer amount of space the opposition seem to have in order to pass around us is worrying and will be punished against a better team. Onwards we go.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes wants one more player in before the transfer window closes on Monday night - and says there could be some departures. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Substitute Alexandros Kyziridis' dramatic injury-time winner secured Hearts three points against Livingston to nudge them top of the Scottish Premiership.

Read the full match report

Have your say on the game

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Hearts manager Derek McInnes: "I thought we were absolutely fine in the game in the first half.

"We set up to nullify Livingston's threat but one shot on goal and they scored. It was too simplistic that goal against us. We didn't play with enough purpose or invention in the first half.

"As soon as we went behind we looked a bit ordinary and a bit spooked.

"We started the second half like an absolute train and we never really let up. The game became stop start, I got fed up hearing the referee's whistle it seemed like every tackle was a foul.

"We missed that brilliant chance with Braga against the post but I felt like it was coming and Kyziridis came up with it."

Portuguese media is reporting that Hearts' record transfer fee for midfielder Ageu was £1.7m, with Santa Clara retaining a 30% sell-on clause. (SPFL Media Watch on X), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.