Heart of Midlothian

Former Tynecastle favourite Paul Hartley backs Hearts to go the distance in the Scottish Premiership title race. (Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

• This will be the first top-flight meeting between Hearts and Falkirk since February 2010, when the Tynecastle men won 3-2 under Jim Jefferies. Hearts are unbeaten in five against the Bairns at this level (W3 D2).

• Hearts lost both of their home league games against newly-promoted Dundee United last season; they had only lost one of their previous 14 Scottish Premiership home matches versus promoted sides before that (W7 D6).

• Hearts have won eight of their past nine league games (D1), including four of five this season. They have scored 2+ goals in all five league matches this term, last doing so in six top-flight matches on the bounce in December 2016.

• Falkirk won their last away league game at Aberdeen (1-0) and could win successive top-flight league games on the road for the first time since May 2009.

• Hearts' Lawrence Shankland has recorded 10 goal involvements across his past nine Scottish Premiership games (7 goals, 3 assists), with only three players recording more touches in the opposition's box this season than his 26.

Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester City and Manchester United are competing to sign Hearts midfielder Keir McMeekin, with City one of several clubs to make a formal offer to cover training compensation, but the Scottish Premiership club have put forward an attractive contract offer of their own to be signed when he turns 16 in February. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Scotland Under-17 midfielder Keir McMeekin looks likely to sign for Manchester City despite interest in the Hearts 15-year-old from other Premier League clubs, with talks at an advanced stage and the teenager and his family having already spent a couple of days in Manchester. (The Talent Hunter on X), external

Islam Chesnokov, whose contract with Tobol Kostanay expires on 31 October, is expected to arrive at Hearts in early December as the 25-year-old winger will be given time to recuperate from a demanding Kazakhstan Premier League season before travelling to Edinburgh to begin a new chapter of his career. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

As Hearts were out of action last weekend, with Derek McInnes' players resting up to save energy for our Premiership title charge, you find yourself fixating on other Scottish football content.

Unless you've been totally out of the loop, you will have seen or heard the debate around 'fan media', which ironically stemmed from our victory against Rangers at Ibrox.

Speaking as someone who has richly benefited from being able to talk about my beloved team every week, I'm going to bat and argue the value of hearing from supporters in 2025.

Looking at this through my maroon lenses, there is a plethora of Hearts-related content you can find Monday to Friday, and the opinions that emanate from Jambos are fairly balanced.

Right now, the optimism from supporters for the team is well founded due to the impact of Derek McInnes in the dugout and the arrival of Tony Bloom in the boardroom.

We're joint top of the league and off the back of a convincing win at a venue we'd routinely be filleted at.

Of course, Jambos are never fully satisfied and there will be grumblings about team selection and cursing the missed opportunity of getting to a League Cup final, considering St Mirren's opponents after defeating us on spot-kicks.

It's important, though, to really give credit when it is due, as any supporter is naturally quick to voice concern – as we saw last season with a podcast-led protest against the Hearts board before the Motherwell game in January.

The support for the club has flipped 180 degrees since that day and you can now see the benefits of what a united support and team can bring on the pitch.

I'm looking forward to the Falkirk game, as you'd expect John McGlynn's side to play some expansive stuff in a mould similar to Motherwell last month and it should be an entertaining match.

It will be good to see the Bairns' new number one Scott Bain line up in goals. I went to school with Scott and while I cannot confirm 'his team' growing up, don't be surprised to see him appear on a Hearts podcast once he retires.

Hearts have not yet opened contract talks to keep Beni Baningime, whose current deal expires next summer, but will undoubtedly want to do so given the 27-year-old midfielder's presence in the team coincides with an improvement in performances and results. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes does not rule out further signings in January but admits that there is "nothing really pressing" at the moment and that they need to address players who will be out of contract next summer. (Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Heart of Midlothian forward Kenneth Vargas says he returned to former club Herediano on loan as he needed game time to retain his Costa Rica place at an important point in World Cup qualifying. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Image source, SNS

Hearts have entered into a cooperation agreement with Scottish League 1 side Montrose.

As part of the partnership, 18-year-old midfielder Gus Stevenson will join the Links Park side on loan.

Stevenson has made seven appearances for Hearts B team in the Lowland League this season, scoring two goals and three assists.

The agreement comes following the introduction of a Scottish FA initiative earlier this year, which aims to improve the development of young domestic talent.

Hearts have already agreed cooperation agreements with St Johnstone and Spartans.

Former Hearts defender and manager Robbie Neilson recounts how a team bonding trip to the go-karting ended up in a fist fight between himself and goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Read more: When team bonding goes wrong

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The win at Ibrox created headlines across the nation, with the main focus on how long Russell Martin can survive at Rangers. However, Hearts' victory should be heralded.

Back in August 2014, goals from Osman Sow and Danny Wilson secured a rare 2-1 victory for the Tynecastle club at Ibrox - the last time Hearts fans truly enjoyed their trip along the M8.

That 11-year wait was ended in fine style on Saturday. The two goals from Lawrence Shankland were proof the striker is getting back to his best, but there were plenty of other positives for Derek McInnes and his backroom team, providing real optimism moving forward.

The ability to switch systems is a huge plus, as this has been an issue in the past. Defensively, Craig Halkett looks as strong as ever after long-running injury issues, and his partnership with Stuart Findlay has caught the eye.

Harry Milne showed at the weekend he has real versatility in his game, while the tenacious Claudio Braga once again caused the opposition countless problems.

The players are also now showing a belief they can perform at this level, and the mindset within the squad looks incredibly strong - not something you could have said in recent seasons.

Unbeaten so far in 90 minutes this season - with the only blip being a penalty shootout loss to St Mirren in the League Cup - Hearts fans are now looking upwards rather than nervously over their shoulders.

A bounce game this week against Ayr United was useful in giving those who haven't featured as much some valuable game-time.

The next two league games are back at Tynecastle, with Falkirk first up a week on Saturday.

A win would keep the pressure on at the top of the table, and with an Edinburgh derby to follow seven days later, the importance of maintaining an unbeaten run going into that match cannot be underestimated.

Image source, SNS

We asked for your views on Claudio Braga after the Portuguese forward's impressive start to his Hearts career.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: The appointment of a good manager, signing of quality players and retention of key players give all supporters a feeling of genuine positive progress. Braga has been a revelation and it surely is no coincidence that we are finding the net and Lawrence Shankland is scoring again with his addition. I still have a concern our unsettled defensive set-up will be penalised by sharper attacking teams, but as long as we score more goals than our opponents then all will be fine.

Steve: Braga has lit up the forward line and is a big hit with the fans and an exciting player. Stuart Findlay has given the defence a more solid look, but I feel that Ageu could be a revelation. Only one appearance as a substitute, he just looked different class. Exciting times under Derek McInnes.

Dave K: Braga is definitely the pick of our signings so far. Alexandros Kyziridis and Findlay have been great too, but Braga has been the star both on and off the pitch. A brilliant find. There are still several signings that we've not seen much of yet. Ageu is the one I'm most looking forward to seeing more of. If he lives up to his record fee Braga might have some competition. Exciting times!

Norrie: While Braga has been a fantastic addition there are a number of players who are contributing to a really good start. When players like Kyziridis can say after the game against Livingston that the manager decides the team and he will come on and do his part when called on, that can only be a positive in how the team is being coached. Findlay is another who has settled really well and along with his play in attack at set-pieces it gives yet even more options. What a change to last year when Shankland was carrying it all on his shoulders, loved his celebration after the penalty!

Tom: Braga is great to watch and totally gets our club. Having Shankland in the team, supplying good balls, keeps Braga in the game. His energy, along with other new recruits, has lifted the tempo of our play. Great thing is he will only get better when Ageu and Christian Borchgrevink are fit.

Image source, Getty Images

Kenneth Vargas has returned to former club Herediano from Hearts on loan until January.

The 23-year-old forward has not featured for the Scottish Premiership club this season under new head coach Derek McInnes - despite scoring for Costa Rica in this month's 3-3 World Cup qualifying draw at home to Haiti.

Defending champions Herediano currently sit sixth in the country's top flight.

Vargas, capped 18 times for his country, first joined Hearts from Herediano in August 2023 on loan before signing a five-year contract the following March.

He made 42 appearances last season, scoring four times, but 20 of them were as a substitute.

Talks earlier this year between Hearts and Cammy Devlin to extend the midfielder's contract beyond next summer have not been followed up and head coach Derek McInnes says the Edinburgh club need a sign that the 27-year-old wants to commit his future to them. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Claudio Braga was described as an "exciting signing" when Hearts boss Derek McInnes landed one of his "top targets" in June.

The Portuguese forward has wasted little time in living up to his billing.

With Jamestown Analytics driving Hearts' recruitment, Braga was identified and plucked from the relative obscurity of Norway's second tier.

He eased into action with three goals in four appearances against lower-league opposition in the League Cup group phase, and has seamlessly become an important cog in the slick Hearts machine that is keeping pace with Celtic at the top of the Premiership table.

The 25-year-old may not have been on the scoresheet in the long-awaited win at Ibrox last weekend, but his influence was unquestionable. The highlight was a lovely pass that unlocked the Rangers defence and found Lawrence Shankland to set Hearts on their way to a 2-0 victory.

Post match, Shankland hailed his team-mate's "really intelligent" work and said their on-field "connection" is improving.

That was Braga's first league assist to go with his three goals so far, a strike tally bettered only by Dundee United's Ivan Dolcek. Braga has twice been denied by the woodwork.

A dig through the Opta stats further illustrates Braga's impact. He has had the most shots (14), shots on target (7), big chances (6) and touches in the opposition box (32) of any player in the Premiership.

Perhaps he could brush up on his finishing - he is slightly underperforming his expected goals (xG) of 3.19 and has missed four big chances.

But that shows the potential is there for even better to come and Braga has already shown versatility and coolness in front of goal - scoring one with his left foot, one with his right, and one with his head.

McInnes' team is no one-man show, though. Fellow new arrivals Alexandros Kyziridis and Stuart Findlay have also caught the eye while Oisin McEntee has been quietly effective.

Hearts fans, is Braga the pick of the bunch? Does his form hold the key to the club's hopes of success this season?

Share your views here.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

Ibrox had long been considered a fortress whenever Hearts rolled into town, but we delivered a performance brimming with passion, resilience and confidence to record our first victory in Govan in over 11 years.

When the line-ups were announced and left-back Harry Milne was deployed at right midfield, I thought Derek McInnes must have had a few beers on the team bus. But that bold call was one of several that McInnes got right on the day.

Oisin McEntee at right-back, Alexander Schwolow thrown in between the sticks for his debut, and a return to a 4-4-2 formation – every decision McInnes made paid off.

Hearts' performance in that first 45 minutes was genuinely the best I've ever seen us play at Ibrox. There was crunching tackles - every 50-50 would turn into an 80-20 in our favour - dogged pressing and threatening efforts at Jack Butland's goal following fluid patterns of play from midfield to our strikers.

You can't get away from the fact there were three big VAR decisions and Hearts benefitted on all of them, starting with Lawrence Shankland's goal which should have been ruled out for a handball.

Rangers' effort at goal ought have been awarded and Schwolow should have been stronger under pressure, but thankfully we all know goalkeepers are overprotected.

Hearts' penalty was, for me, awarded correctly. There is contact on Milne from Mohamed Diomande and I don't think we will ever get a hat-trick of big decisions given in our favour again in Glasgow.

I know some bookmakers now have Hearts as favourites to finish second, but our objective must still third. We can't get carried away after one win against a poor Rangers side, who will presumably benefit from the 'new manager bounce' whenever they sack gaffer Russell Martin.

This season we have to aim to pick up at least 10 points from 24 versus the Old Firm. That should mean at least one win and two draws in four games against each side, which would be massively encouraging in our efforts to bridge the gap.

The most frustrating thing following the victory is we now have a free weekend - due to our League Cup defeat to St Mirren last month - and cannot continue the momentum.

All things considered, Jambos are pleased with the start to life under McInnes in the Tony Bloom era. There is something likeable about this team at the moment.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes reveals even his own son questioned the merits of Harry Milne being deployed wide on the right against Rangers, which proved crucial in the Tynecastle side's win at Ibrox on Saturday. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, McInnes praises the endeavour of forward Elton Kabangu to fight for his place at Hearts. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Image source, SNS

Watch the Sportscene team discuss Hearts' potential as title challengers following their 2-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox, their first in Govan since 2014.

Image source, SNS

Craig Gordon insists he is up for the fight to reclaim the gloves for Hearts and Scotland after the veteran goalkeeper returned to full training.

The 42-year-old was number one for both club and country last term but has not played since early May after suffering a slipped disc in his neck.

In his absence, Zander Clark, Ryan Fulton and Alexander Schwolow been in action for Hearts, while Angus Gunn started Scotland's two World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus.

With Liam McFarlane and Harry Stone also available to Tynecastle head coach Derek McInnes, Gordon told club media: "There's certainly a fair few goalies in the squad.

"It's an interesting situation of how all those guys are going to fit into a squad because there's only one of us that can play and there's going to be a number of goalies unhappy.

"We have to work hard in training and do as much as we can to try and get ourselves in the team and when we're there, try and take that opportunity to stay there.

"I just need to keep training well and try and get in the manager's thoughts to get a start, and that's all I can do.

"Just keep doing everything I possibly can to show that I'm the one that the manager should be picking and that's the same for all of us, so, it's going to be good competition and we'll see how it goes."

Gordon made his 81st international appearance in the 3-0 home loss to Greece in March.

Asked if a return to Steve Clarke's squad for the remaining four games of World Cup qualification was in his thoughts, Gordon replied: "Yeah, absolutely.

"We've made a good start with four points from the first two games so we put ourselves in a good position.

"I'd love to be back involved with that team. But, firstly, I need to make sure I'm doing well here and training well and give myself that opportunity to be selected."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hearts continued their superb start to the season with a 2-0 win at Rangers on Saturday and have three players in my team of the week.

Alexander Schwolow made his debut at Ibrox and the 33-year-old can be proud of his clean sheet. Perhaps not wholly convincing for Rangers' disallowed goal but made several key saves as Hearts secured a famous win.

Harry Milne started at right-back against Rangers, underlining his versatility. The former Partick Thistle man continued his impressive start to the season by winning the penalty that sealed the win.

Head coach Derek McInnes described Lawrence Shankland's performance as a "masterclass".

Two goals to sink Rangers and the Scotland international looks revived under McInnes' management.