Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov has signed a pre-contract agreement with Heart of Midlothian, who are now in talks with Tobol Kostanay over a transfer fee, but the Kazakh club are reluctant to allow the 25-year-old to leave before his deal with them expires at the end of October. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSDerek McInnes admits Hearts have "still got some doubts" about goalkeeper Craig Gordon being fit for the start of the season.
The Scotland goalkeeper, 42, signed a one-year contract extension for the upcoming season but missed the last three games of last campaign due to a shoulder injury.
Gordon has been awarded a testimonial game against his former club Sunderland on 26 July and McInnes said he "has his eyes on that".
Hearts' League Cup group-stage campaign kicks off on 12 July against Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Dunfermline but the head coach confirmed the shotstopper "certainly won't be fit" for that.
"I think he's got eyes on trying to be ready for his testimonial game," McInnes said. "He certainly won't be fit for the League Cup games.
"I chatted with Craig (on Monday), he seems confident that it's going the right way. But whether it can be progressed enough before the start of the campaign, I think we've still got some doubts about that."
With Gordon injured, fellow Scotland international Zander Clark will have an early chance to try to re-establish himself as Hearts number one this summer.
"In terms of every position, whoever's fit and available gives themselves the best chance to go and make that position their own," said McInnes. "I'm just looking for my goalkeepers to provide that real healthy competition and make it difficult for me."
Image source, BBC SportNigerian forward Uchenna Ogundu is set to stay in Turkey following transfer interest from various European clubs, including Hearts (Edinburgh Evening News), external.
Image source, BBC SportHeart of Midlothian look set to lose out to Alanyaspor in the fight for Uchenna Ogundu after holding talks with the 19-year-old Sanliurfaspor striker and making an offer. (Daily Record), external
Kevin Nisbet, who was on loan to Aberdeen from Millwall last season, is not a target for Hearts, with head coach Derek McInnes hopeful of convincing fellow Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland to stay at Tynecastle Park. (Hearts Standard), external
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSWe asked for your views on Hearts' Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 games.
Here's what some of you said:
Ronnie: Can't see us losing any of the first six games to be fair, think we can be good on the road this season and hopefully we take it to the Glasgow teams.
Sam: Looking at the opening 10 fixtures, there's no reason why Hearts shouldn't be within the top four with the recruitment over the summer they have done already. Looking at how the new manager is building a squad and creating a new feel around Tynecastle, I have no doubts this could be an interesting season for Hearts fans.
John: Expect Hearts to be at least third after 10 games. Much will depend on how the new arrivals settle in and who is left from the season past. Got to be picking up more wins at home, including against Celtic and Rangers. Pressure on the new manager and all the background facilities to start way better than last season.
Dave: The fixture list is the fixture list, but why oh why can't we have a traditional start to the season and all games kick off at 15:00 on a Saturday? As a Jambo season ticket holder and living in Inverness, this Monday night nonsense is not the best start and sours it a bit for me, personally. As for Hearts' start to the season, it has to be better than the last one, and I'm sure it will be. I don't think Derek McInnes will muck about if players are not up to the mark from the start.
Image source, SNSDerek McInnes says Hearts is the "best option" for Lawrence Shankland but admits a decision on the striker's future needs to be made "sooner rather than later".
The out-of-contract captain has been offered "a really strong option" to remain at Tynecastle and has yet to accept.
After netting 59 goals in his first two seasons with Hearts, Scotland striker Shankland netted just nine last season, but new boss McInnes is keen to keep the 29-year-old.
"I'm in constant dialogue with Lawrence, spoke to his agents as well several times through the last few weeks, but Lawrence has obviously got a lot to consider," he told Sky Sports.
"We think we're a really strong option for him, whether we're the best option in Lawrence's eyes we've got to wait and see.
"But there'll come a point really that we need to draw a line under it and Lawrence has got to look at looking after him and I've got to look after Hearts.
"Hopefully we can find a solution because he is a player that I think can really thrive with us at Hearts.
"He's shown in the time here how important he is and you try and not let players like that leave without putting up the best fight you can and we're in the fight for him.
"I believe we're a really strong option for Lawrence, I believe we're the best option for him at this moment, he's got the World Cup to try and get involved in at the end of next season.
"There are loads of reasons why Lawrence could see this as a good option for him. Hopefully we're his best option and at the minute we're in the fight to keep him."
When asked if he and Hearts have given the striker a deadline, McInnes replied: "I always feel deadlines are not always healthy and sometimes can be a bit antagonistic.
"There's been enough conversations with Lawrence.
"There'll come a point where he has to move on and try and secure his future and likewise, I need to make sure we secure our squad going forward but we're not at that stage yet.
"But, sooner rather than later really, we need to try and get that resolved because I want clarity in what I'm dealing with and I'm sure Lawrence is wanting clarity on his future as well."
Opta have crunched the numbers to rank the difficulty of each Scottish Premiership club's first four fixtures of the 2025-26 season.
According to their data model, St Mirren have the toughest start, followed by two clubs helmed by new managers, Dundee and Motherwell.
As for the easiest, Hibernian and capital rivals Hearts should got off to a flier, right?
Take a look below to see where your side places...
Image source, SNSAside from the first game of the season against Aberdeen, all dates are subject to change as a result of broadcast and other requirements.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSThe first Edinburgh derby of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season will take place on Saturday, 4 October. Derek McInnes' side welcome Hibernian to Tynecastle for a 15:00 BST kick-off.
Hearts' first trip to Easter Road in the league is set to be a festive cracker on Saturday, 27 December at 12:30.
One week before that, Hearts host Rangers in their final league outing before Christmas and the Tynecastle men round off 2025 with a trip to newly-promoted Falkirk.
The final derby of the pre-split season is pencilled in for Wednesday, 11 February at 19:45 in Gorgie.
Hearts complete the pre-split campaign at home to Motherwell on Saturday, 11 April.
Looking at the fixture list, where do you think Hearts will be after 10 games? Have your say here.
Image source, SNSDerek McInnes' first Scottish Premiership game as Hearts boss will be at home to his former side Aberdeen.
The match will take place on Monday, 4 August at 20:00 BST, with Hearts' first away fixture against Dundee United on Saturday, 9 August at 15:00.
See Hearts' Scottish Premiership fixtures in full here.
All times BST
Image source, SNSHearts have appointed Ross Grant as their first set-play coach.
After sporting director Graeme Jones highlighted the desire for a dedicated set-piece coach, the Tynecastle club have appointed Grant from Dundee United.
He coached in the professional phase of the Tannadice club's academy, and brings 15 years of experience to Gorgie.
Grant was general manager at former Hearts interim boss Austin MacPhee's 'AM Soccer Club' before providing support to MacPhee in his set-piece roles with Aston Villa and the Scotland national team.
Grant says his understanding of set-piece "importance" has developed from working with MacPhee.
In last season's Scottish Premiership, Hearts had eight goals assisted via a set-piece. Motherwell had the most with 13.
Midfielder Blair Spittal created 23 chances from set-pieces - the most by any Hearts player - while United's Will Ferry created the most in the league with 28.
Grant is "excited to develop innovation and creativity" from set-pieces.
"I had a good conversation with Graeme Jones about integrating set-play coaching into the club," he said.
"I'll look to provide clarity, but I'm also excited to develop innovation and creativity about how we make set-pieces more successful in both attacking and defensive terms.
"I'm looking forward to working with the new management team ahead of the new season."
Right-back Christian Borchgrevink and winger Alexandros Kyziridis can't wait to get started with Hearts
Having signed pre-contracts with Hearts at the tail end of last season, right-back Christian Borchgrevink and winger Alexandros Kyziridis have landed at Tynecastle.
Both join on three-year deals, with Borchgrevink moving from Valarenga in Norway and Kyziridis from Slovakian top-flight club Zemplin Michalovce.
Borchgrevink, 26, signed back in April, when Neil Critchley was still in charge, while 24-year-old Kyziridis was the first recruit after Derek McInnes was appointed.
Now officially a Tynecastle player, Greek Kyziridis can't wait to score goals in Gorgie.
"What excites me the most? To score in this stadium," he told HeartsTV.
"I see this stadium, I can imagine that it will be every game full and this imagination makes me so happy."
Kyziridis scored 16 goals and provided eight assists for Zemplin Michalovce last season.
"I see many great things here and I'm sure that I'm going to enjoy it," he added. "From my side, I will do my best for this club, for everyone here.
"I'm really happy to be here and excited. The decision that I took was, to be honest, very easy.
"From the moment that I heard that this big club wanted me, I just said, OK, let's go. It was so simple."
While it was simple for Kyziridis, his new team-mate Borchgrevink is looking forward to the "physical" Scottish Premiership as he "enjoys a bit of a scrap".
"The first talks I had with [sporting director] Graeme [Jones], talking about the project, how they want me to fit into that project and the system, I can see myself as a football player," the Norwegian said.
"Coming to a big club and then hopefully challenging in the league and hopefully in Europe as well. For me, my ambition is to play on big stages and I think that's a good opportunity to do so here.
"I'm looking forward to it as well because I can enjoy a bit of a scrap, a bit of a duel.
"Maybe it's going to take a while to get used to, but then again, I think that kind of football suits me well as well.
"I think the biggest part of my game or what I enjoy the most is attacking, like many others, but I like to go run up and down the wing and then I enjoy crossing with my right foot as well."
No sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Friday when the Scottish Premiership fixtures are released.
That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and the run-in to the split.
This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Friday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.
The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 2 August and will conclude on Sunday, 17 May 2026.
Image source, SNSStuart Findlay hopes to get Tynecastle "bouncing" after joining Hearts on a season-long loan and reuniting with manager Derek McInnes.
The Oxford United centre-back spent the past two seasons on loan at Kilmarnock with McInnes, who "knows how to get the best out of me" and was "a massive factor" in Findlay signing for Hearts.
The 29-year-old credits McInnes for "rediscovering" his career and insists he knows what the manager demands to deliver success.
"It's a massive, massive club who I've played against - I've played at this stadium many times and you know by the atmosphere, the supporters out there, it's a fantastic place to play football," Findlay told club media.
"It's a place I love to play my football. I think anybody who's played here, anyone who knows their football knows the type of arena Tynecastle can be when it's bouncing, and hopefully, with the season we're all planning on having, it'll be like that more than it's not. I just really can't wait to get started.
"Doubled up with the fact there's a manager who I know believes in me and a manager who I believe in.
"I've got a really good working relationship with him for our previous club and it's something I'm really looking forward to try and bring forward into this new chapter in my career.
"He really helped me rediscover my form after a couple of years of not playing. That's another massive reason why I've come here, he's a manager who knows how to get the best out of me.
"I know what he expects from his teams, day in, day out, and I hope to bring that to this club and we're as successful as we can possibly be here."
Image source, Getty ImagesTony Bloom's proposed investment of close to £10m in Heart of Midlothian moved a step closer after it was approved at an extraordinary general meeting of the club's shareholders.
The Brighton & Hove Albion owner is to invest £9.86m in return for a 29% stake via non-voting shares.
The transaction was overwhelmingly backed by members of Foundation of Hearts – the supporters' group who hold a majority shareholding.
That led to Wednesday's EGM and an update from Tynecastle said that "all of the resolutions have been passed".
Image source, SNSHearts won all three of the games Ryan Fulton featured in last term
Ryan Fulton's contract extension gives Hearts "strength and stability" in the goalkeeping department, says head coach Derek McInnes.
The 29-year-old, who arrived at Tynecastle last summer from Hamilton, has penned a new deal that runs until the summer of 2027.
Fulton, who played three times last term, will continue to provide competition for the number one spot with Craig Gordon and Zander Clark.
"It's so important to have strong goalkeeping options to choose from," Hearts boss McInnes said. "With Ryan committing his future to the club, we have that that strength and stability.
"I know from speaking to [goalkeeper coach] Paul Gallacher that Ryan is a top professional who gives his all in training and pushes his team-mates to be better.
"Ryan had to be patient last season, but I think everybody saw, when he was called into action, that he is a quality goalkeeper and we're fortunate to have him."
Claudio Braga thinks "it's going to be amazing" to play for Hearts after his switch from Aalesunds for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old Portuguese forward has been the Norwegian second-tier side's top scorer for the last three seasons and puts that down to pure hard work.
"I know the fans love hard workers and I promise that, sometimes I'll fail, sometimes I'll miss, but for sure I'll try my best in every game - that's the secret," he told Hearts' website.
Braga expects plenty of "intensity and aggression" from Scottish Premiership defences but aims to meet fire with fire.
Also highlighting his versatility, he said: "Wherever the coach wants to put me - number 10, front two, or on the wing - I am fine with that."
Asked about new head coach Derek McInnes, Braga added: "I felt a lot of interest in me and that helped me be very interested in the club."
His move was the result of "a lot of conversations" and he is now relishing the prospect of playing "in front of 20,000 fans at Tynecastle".
Danny Armstrong has had "options from all over the world" since deciding to leave Kilmarnock amid reported interest from Hearts. (Scottish Sun), external
Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon hopes new manager Derek McInnes can replicate the impact George Burley had on the club at the start of the 2005-06 season. (Daily Record), external
