New Captain 2025/26

[maltese jambo]

1 hour ago, johnking123 said:

He was! The look he gives Shankland 😄. 

For that alone he should be made captain.

 

Someone just in the door calling a spade a spade.

 

Captain material right there.

 

Failing that can we cart Elvis out or retirement just to be captain and get him to read riot act ? Or Gary Locke.

[BigStein]

Kingsley could probably be in the hat for club captain although I wouldn’t expect him to be a starter 

[wavydavy]

Ideally it should be someone who starts every game when fit.

 

Not sure that Devlin will be in that category next season.

 

Much will depend on who we bring in and who the players look up to.

 

Hard one to call but from the current team I would opt for Steinwender.

[coatbridgejambo]

If i was a pro footballer & I was aware most of the fans didn't want me as captain I'd volunteer to hand it over to take the decision away from the manager. Do we think shanks is aware how we feel? Might even help him not being captain. 

[Cruyff]

Devlin for me but Beni would look good with the arm band. 

[RustyRightPeg]

11 minutes ago, BigStein said:

Kingsley could probably be in the hat for club captain although I wouldn’t expect him to be a starter 

Kingsley would’ve been captain by now if he was worthy / deserved it. 
 

He’s been here for 5 years and hasn’t worn the armband once IIRC.

[IanF86]

Devlin on account of him being Hearts as ****. 

[basscom]

1 hour ago, jamboinglasgow said:

Needs to be someone who is expected to start, I like Devlin but not sure if he will be a starter at the start of next season (not saying he wont be playing often, but could see him rotated with another CM at times.)

 

I like Steinwender, he seems a natural leader at the back so could see him.

Agree with both points. Devlin not a stick on to start. 
 

Steinwender looks a captain and has already had a pop at Shankland and Gordon.

[ELITHEDUG]

Kent would make a good captain

[Drylaw Hearts]

I think Steinwender is a player we plan on selling on within a season or 2 if all goes well.

 

Making him captain could potentially increase his value.

 

Having so few options for a proper captain is a sad reflection on this current squad and indicates we lack real old fashioned leadership on the pitch.

 

 

[billybalfour]

McCart.4 year contract so he should be here longer term than some of the others being mentioned.

[ellsbells]

Beni Baningime, if fit, as part of a new deal. One of the best football players at the club, is surely one of the first on the team sheet, controls from the centre of the park, very rarely booked or involved in nonsense, and been here a good few seasons now. 
 

You want your captain someone you can give the ball to and he will do something with it and be comfortable under pressure. As much as I love Devlin and he has absolutely improved, he’s nowhere near Beni.

[redjambo]

As long as it's someone who actually gives a feck and is vocal about it, I don't mind.

[Bill Sikes]

Does it make much difference in modern day Football ?

 

Not sure it makes any difference anymore unfortunately. Just look at the current armband holder to see how much expectation is placed upon it. 

Can players make onfield decisions to change tactics anymore, doesn't look like it.

 

Give it to someone who gives a Shit will be an improvement.

 

 

[weekend offender]

Should always be centre half/sweeper or centre midfield

[Hashimoto]

Any of the centre defence players would do. However, it might be that the next captain is not at the club yet!!

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Nobody in the current team 

[OTT]

My immediate reaction is Devlin. Plays with his heart on his sleeve, gets the club etc. 

 

However, I can get behind the Steinwender shouts. Very similar air about him that Zaliukas had. Can't put my finger on why exactly, but its there. 

[Hungry hippo]

I don't think we have a perfect candidate which is probably a big reason for not having a great season.

 

I'd say that from the current squad that Kent and Halkett are the most natural for the role but as there's a good chance they won't be playing they aren't options.

 

I'd love us to sign someone in summer that becomes the obvious choice.

[davie1980]

Lots of shouts for Devlin.

 

I like the lad as a player and think he definitely has a great attitude and workrate, but if we look at the side over the last month or so, can you imagine dropping Beni from the side, or the reaction of the fans playing two CDMs just to shoehorn the two of them in the side?

 

For me he's behind Beni in the pecking order for CDM when everyone is fit and that has to be a consideration.

Edited March 12 by davie1980

[Gorgiewave]

Devlin is an irresponsible player who gets booked far too often and puts his continuance on the pitch and therefore the team at risk. That should rule him out.

 

McCart might be a good captain. Or Spittal.

[Daveandal]

I'd be amazed if Gordon isn't here next season and isn't captain. He is back to being Scotland's number one and will be desperate to play in the World Cup.

 

To answer the question asked, I'd say Spittal. 

[gordon simpson]

Devlin for sure 

[Captain Canada]

I'll say Steinwender because I'm not 100% sure Devlin or Penrice will still be at the club next season. 

[DavyH]

3 hours ago, Lambert Simnel said:

Steinwender for me.  I love Cammy, but worry that the additional responsibility might mess with his mind a bit (thinking how the likes of Michael Vaughan were never as good batting when captain. Is it allowable to reference England Test cricket on JKB, by the way? 😉) 

No haha

[Famous 1874]

He’s new but I think Steinweinder. Looks vocal and is a guaranteed starter next season. 

[JimmyCant]

2 hours ago, ELITHEDUG said:

Kent would make a good captain

Hmmmmm he’s another one who gives off the ‘don’t want to be here’ vibe

[zeke1874]

I'd say mccart. Scottish, knows the league etc.

Will play every match when fit. No nonsense defender who leads by example and puts his body on the line. Also on a 4 year contract so could be a long term captain. He's also our "level' and I don't think he not appreciate that unlike shanks...

[jonnyinfo]

Beni, all day long!! 

[Chong]

Don't mean to boast but I've been thinking.

 

Wilson, if we give him the armband, he'll sign a new contract..........

[Gambo]

This thread worries me about some of the Hearts support.

 

I’ll leave my choice until I see what the squad is for next season.

[ELITHEDUG]

16 hours ago, JimmyCant said:

Hmmmmm he’s another one who gives off the ‘don’t want to be here’ vibe

I haven't see any evidence of that.

 

What I have seen, is a good vocal communicator, a player that will give his all and block/header/tackle.

 

Not so good in opposition box but he does win headers but with a lack of accuracy.

 

I think he would have the respect of the players and always liked a captain to be in the centre position, either centre half or central midfield.

 

Not against Devlin but I think Kent would handle the pressure of being Captain better. Cammy does get a few bookings so wouldn't want that added pressure to win tackles being Captain.

 

 

[Cruyff]

16 hours ago, jonnyinfo said:

Beni, all day long!! 

I think so too. Best player, great attitude, well respected. Would look the part with the arm band.

[Chimp]

18 hours ago, Gorgiewave said:

Devlin is an irresponsible player who gets booked far too often and puts his continuance on the pitch and therefore the team at risk. That should rule him out.

 

McCart might be a good captain. Or Spittal.

 

Correct, should never be Devlin. He also doesn't take any responsibility on the ball and prefers to pass that on to others which rules him out for me. He has passion, but it takes a bit more than that to be captain.

 

Hard to say with McCart, he's only just arrived and not sure how influential he is yet. Same possibly goes for Steinwender.

Spittal isn't captain material I don't think, doesn't seem like a leader on the park and not sure he'll be a guaranteed starter every week next season. There's every chance it will end up being a new summer signing as we don't have many stand out candidates currently.

[PhoenixHearts]

Said it on the Dundee match thread but if anyone saw Devlin celebrating our 3rd goal behind the dugout giving repeated "UP YE" gestures to the away end, you'd be inclined to agree he's Hearts through and through now.

IF he was considered to be a first XI regular next season he would be my pick.

 

[pettigrewsstylist]

Devlin has enough going on in his head. Dont ruin him, leave alone. 

[lou]

Devlin, McCart or Steinwender 

[Watt-Zeefuik]

McCart won't be a first choice CH next season IMO. I think he's a very good first choice backup but not sure he's what we need as our first pick.

 

There's a chance of that happening with Devlin as well, but less so. When he's on the pitch, he already acts like a captain. Not in a disrespectful way, just as a leader and an advocate for his teammates.

 

Unless we end up settling on a shape that doesn't favor him, Cammy Legend is the pick.

 

 

[Watt-Zeefuik]

22 hours ago, ELITHEDUG said:

Kent would make a good captain

I give Kent about a 20% chance of being here next season. He was immense last season but was really playing quite badly before he got hurt.

[Drylaw Hearts]

As much I like Beni……he isn’t a captain imo.

 

[Ribble]

On 12/03/2025 at 16:15, JimmyCant said:

 

Also has to be a guy who’s first pick every week, which might go against Devlin

 

With the modern way and squad rotation I’m not sure anyone other than the no1 keeper is likely to start every week anyway, for me Devlin is a good shout but needs an able deputy for any games he doesn’t start, Devlin also seems to be the type to still act like a captain when there are games he doesn’t start

[JimmyCant]

21 hours ago, Ribble said:

With the modern way and squad rotation I’m not sure anyone other than the no1 keeper is likely to start every week anyway, for me Devlin is a good shout but needs an able deputy for any games he doesn’t start, Devlin also seems to be the type to still act like a captain when there are games he doesn’t start

There’s always 3/4 in a squad that don’t get rotated, even in teams that do heavy rotation, the captain and goalkeeper being 2 of those.

 

The question would then be, is Devlin going to be a weekly starter ?

[Tynecastle Valhalla]

Beni

 

he’s that good 

 

[Horatio Caine]

36 minutes ago, Tynecastle Valhalla said:

Beni

 

he’s that good 

 

I love Beni but I don't see him as Captain material.

[Morgan]

53 minutes ago, Tynecastle Valhalla said:

Beni

 

he’s that good 

 

Being ‘good’ doesn’t make a player captain material.

 

 

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

On 12/03/2025 at 21:52, Chong said:

Don't mean to boast but I've been thinking.

 

Wilson, if we give him the armband, he'll sign a new contract..........

I'll give you some advice.

 

Don't be thinking too often with thoughts like that.👍🏼

[red]

Devlin won’t be a first pick next season imo…

 

had a good season but they all do when there is a contract/move on the horizon.

McCart the only one I can think of in the current squad 

 

[BigStein]

I’d like to see them put the belt on Jericho

[JamboGee92]

Devlin. 

[il Duce McTarkin]

On 12/03/2025 at 19:21, Bongo 1874 said:

Devlin just needs to concentrate on his game.

 

Don't want to put too much responsibility on Devlin.

 

Agree with this.