Heart of Midlothian

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Could Lawrence Shankland's history with new Hearts head coach Derek McInnes be key in convincing the striker to stay at the club?

Reports in recent days suggest English Championship side West Brom are keen on the Scotland forward, who is currently set to be a free agent this summer.

However, former Tynecastle boss Steven Naismith believes McInnes' arrival means "there is more optimism" Shankland will remain in Gorgie.

McInnes managed Shankland during his team as Aberdeen manager, but the striker struggled to become a first-team regular during his time at Pittodrie.

"Like any player, there are more options when you're out of contract," Naismith, who was Hearts boss during Shankland's free-scoring 2023-24 season, said on BBC Sportsound.

"It gives you a chance to sit and think what's best for you at this stage in your career, but he'll want it sorted before pre-season starts.

"He's a goal scorer, they are hard to come by. West Brom are linked with him. But with McInnes coming in and having a relationship with him, I think there's more optimism he could stay with Hearts."

Hearts fans, how do you feel about the Shankland situation? Will he stay or will he go? Send us your thoughts.

Hearts are keen on 25-year-old Aalesund striker Claudio Braga, who is valued by the Norwegian second-tier club at £400,000. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Craig Gordon's testimonial match will see Hearts face newly-promoted Premier League side Sunderland at Tynecastle next month.

The Scottish Premiership club say 42-year-old goalkeeper Gordon has "earned legendary status" after racking up 330 appearances across two spells.

The Scotland international, and the nation's fourth-most capped player, left Hearts in 2007 for Sunderland, who will visit Tynecastle on Saturday, 26 July.

"It's a great honour to be granted a testimonial year with the club that I grew up ing," Gordon said. "The club I have given my all for, the club that I love.

"Throughout my career I've won trophies, played at the highest level and represented my country, but what fills me with pride the most is pulling on that Hearts jersey and walking out in front of our fans.

"To be able to share a testimonial year with our ers is very special to me. It's also particularly pleasing to look forward to welcoming Sunderland to Tynecastle.

"I enjoyed some great times at the Stadium of Light and they hold a special place in my heart."

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A week-long pre-season training camp in Spain will be "crucial" for Hearts as they aim to "hit the ground running" under new head coach Derek McInnes.

The Tynecastle side will depart on 28 June and play a closed-doors friendly against English fourth-tier side Crawley Town during their stay.

Hearts start competitive action against Dunfermline Athletic in their League Cup group opener at Tynecastle on 12 July.

"Trips like these are a vital part of preparing properly for the season ahead," new boss McInnes said.

"The benefits the players will get from intense training sessions in that kind of heat are clear, and that is crucial for us as we look to hit the ground running when the season starts.

"It's also good for the players to spend time with each other. We've got some new faces, mine included, so for everyone to be in the one place and around each other for a whole week will be great for building relationships."

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We asked for your views on what Hearts need to do in the transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Alan: Definitely think we should re-sign Lawrence Shankland, it would be great to see him recapture his form with the team set up around him.

Jimbo: I'd like Shankland to stay but ultimately that's up to him. We need a commanding centre-back, in the style of Steven Pressley, as we're too fragile and lose bad goals. I'm sure the new manager will impose himself on a squad that repeatedly lacks fight. Some players need moved on too, a lot of them.

Steve: We need pace and physicality in midfield. So many need to go, Aidan Denholm, Kenneth Vargas, Sander Kartum, Cammy Devlin, Lewis Neilson, Jamie McCart, Musa Drammeh and sadly Beni Baningime. Beni is worth something, he's skilful, but he frequently slows down our movement going forward and we lose impetus. James Forrest is a bit hit and miss and he is not ready for regular first-team football.

Graeme: A top-class goalkeeper as Craig Gordon is getting on a bit, and a strong, speedy striker. Need to transfer some of the current squad out though.

Alan: What is required is quality not quantity. We seem to get English League one or Two types and we gamble with foreign lower-league players. Stump up higher wages for the few who will drive up standards.

Keith: Defence looks to be covered. Midfield we could do with a couple more strong, powerful attacking midfielders and up front hopefully Shankland signs and another winger would round off a good transfer window.

Jim: It is good to see Hearts strengthening the squad, I hope with the blessing of the new manager. I have my doubts about Vargas - he promises much but delivers very little. Shankland must stay, some say he is slow, they said the same about Kenny Dalglish, but what both had is superior skill and an eye for goal. I still think we need an established creative midfielder and another solid central defender but much will depend on who is available, at what price and does it fit in with the new manager's style of play?

Ronnie: We need to get a few out as early as possible, players that our gaffer knows he isn't going to play. He needs two full teams so he can change personnel without making it weaker, Shankland knows that his next move is his big move so it's best he takes his time and sees who will come for him. I think Hearts will be the biggest club after him but time will tell.

Hearts have offered Australia winger Daniel Arzani a move to Scotland as he prepares to leave Melbourne Victory. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read all of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

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The transfer window opened on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.

Hearts have already been active this summer, g defenders Christian Borchgrevink and Oisin McEntee, plus winger Alexandros Kyziridis and striker Elton Kabangu following his successful loan spell.

Is there still an area of the squad that needs improving, or certain players you are desperate for Hearts to sign? Or maybe holding on to a key player - we're looking at you, Lawrence Shankland - is the biggest priority.

And what about sales - who needs to go?

Let us know here

Hearts are keeping close tabs on Falkirk midfielder Brad Spencer, with the 29-year-old entering the last year of his contract with the newly-promoted Scottish Premiership club. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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New g Oisin McEntee says Hearts fans can expect to see his hard work and technical ability when he takes to the pitch.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder has penned a three-year deal at the Gorgie club following his departure from Walsall.

The Newcastle academy product, who has played in Scotland before during a loan spell at Greenock Morton, is embracing the next step of his career at Tynecastle.

"It's really exciting to be here, starting a new chapter at a brilliant, massive football club," McEntee said.

"[The club] said they have a plan for me and want me in as a midfielder. I'm excited to be part of that plan.

"[The fans] can expect a hard worker who will win battles, put himself about and be tidy on the ball."

Derek McInnes' first competitive game as Hearts manager will be at home to Dunfermline in the Premier Sports Cup.

The game on Saturday 12 July kicks off at 17:15 BST and will be shown live on Premier Sports.

After facing Neil Lennon's side, Hearts have trips to Hamilton Accies and Stirling Albion before completing their Group E campaign against Dumbarton at Tynecastle.

Hearts are on the verge of g defensive midfielder Oisin McEntee as the 24-year-old prepares to leave Walsall as a free agent. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Brentford head of individual player development Steven Pressley has left the club.

The former Scotland and Hearts defender ed the Bees in 2021 and has played a role in progressing several players from the B team to Thomas Frank's squad, including Yehor Yarmoliuk, Ryan Trevitt and Paris Maghoma.

"After careful consideration, I've decided it's time for a new challenge in my career," Pressley said, external.

"I leave the club having formed some great friendships, great memories, and also being appreciative of the opportunity to work with some highly-skilled people, which has allowed me to learn and grow as a person."

Director of football Phil Giles added: ""As well as developing some of our best young players and having a meaningful impact on first-team performances in the Premier League, he's been a top professional and a pleasure to get to know as a person.

"On behalf of everyone at Brentford, I wish him well."

Nick Mheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Following a promising second half of the season, Hearts have decided to make Elton Kabangu's loan stay from Union Saint-Gilloise a permanent one.

The Belgian striker was one of the first new faces in the Tynecastle club's data-driven Jamestown Analytics era, finishing the season as second top scorer with eight goals in all competitions.

That is pretty good going given the forward only signed in January and played just 18 games, but what makes his goals tally more impressive is the fact none of them came from the penalty spot.

When you compare that to forwards who have played at least 10 Scottish Premiership games this season, Kabangu's non-penalty-goals average of 0.54 per 90 ranks him in the league's top 10.

Meanwhile, the striker sits ninth for his expected goals tally of 0.5 per 90, and his shot (21%) and big chance (56%) conversion rates also place him high in the Premiership forward rankings.

When you narrow that search down to just Hearts players on a per-90 basis, Kabangu sits top for goals, expected goals and shots on target.

A goals-per-90 average of 0.54 over a 38-game season would accumulate a very healthy return of 19, so now the challenge for the 27-year-old is maintaining that form over the course of an entire campaign under new boss Derek McInnes.

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Hearts have been drawn alongside Dunfermline, Hamilton, Dumbarton and Stirling Albion in Group E of the 2025-26 Premier Sports Cup.

The tournament will mark Derek McInnes' first game in charge of the Tynecastle club, with the opening fixture on 12-13 July and further matchdays on 15-16 July, 19-20 July, 22-23 July and 26-27 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up will Scotland's five European entrants - Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United - in the last 16 on the weekend of 16-17 August.

Hearts were beaten by Falkirk in the second round last season and last lifted the trophy in 1962.

Former Heart of Midlothian head coach Robbie Neilson, who has been out of work since being sacked by Tampa Bay Rowdies earlier this year, is willing to explore any opportunities to return to management. (PLZ Soccer)

Neilson says he has missed the intensity of Scottish football and is interested in the vacancies at Dundee, Motherwell and Partick Thistle. (Scottish Sun)

Hearts have held initial talks after expressing an interest in German midfielder Soufian El-Faouzi, the 22-year-old who has a year left of his contract with Bundesliga 3 club Alemannia Aachen. (Daily Record)

Hearts are on the verge of finalising a transfer deal with Tobol for Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov, according to the 25-year-old's agent. (Hearts Standard)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.