Heart Of Midlothian winter transfer window 2025/2026 - Wilson loaned to Spurs; transfer window slams shut

[Sub4TiddlerMurray]

37 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

And when Cammy was injured, Beni was suspended, McEntee was injured and Ageu was injured, we were up shit creek and got exceptionally lucky we were able to land Leonard on loan. 

 

You're arguing that because he doesn't immediately get into our first 11, a talented 23 year old Scottish midfielder wouldn't have been worth signing? As I said, its a 38 game season (plus cups) and I absolutely think that he'd have been a good player to have. Cammy playing 3 games in such a short space of time was why he got injured, so having this sort of cover is important and I'm not going to change my view on that. You bring these players in to improve the squad and ultimately succeed those in the starting 11, I think I'm correct in saying Mulligan absolutely would have done that, and that Watson could very well do that too. 

 

'Exceptionally lucky' you say? And here’s me thinking the club did a magnificent piece of business getting Leonard. 

 

[GinRummy]

2 minutes ago, Shankland31 said:

We always leave ourselves 1 short of ideal every window. In the summer it was a right back which came back to bite us pretty quickly. Have to hope Kabore and Braga stay fit for the season and Shankland gets back fit and firing asap. 
 

That said, we have a fantastic squad and we just have to go and win the league with what we’ve got. Bring on tomorrow night. Cmon the Hearts.

How quickly did not having a rb come back to bite us? What happened. 

[OTT]

Just now, Sub4TiddlerMurray said:

 

'Exceptionally lucky' you say? And here’s me thinking the club did a magnificent piece of business getting Leonard. 

 

 

The timing was exceptionally lucky, outside of a transfer window and we're up shit creek. Plus, it sounds like Leonard did a lot to make it happen too. No idea about wage coverage etc. 

 

It was a magnificent piece of business 100%. 

[Portable Badger]

20 minutes ago, Gordons left glove said:

Thought we would have let borch leave on loan. Maybe we did but no one wanted him. Won't do him any good staying on the bench or sometimes not even in the squad till the summer.

He’s injured.

[Taffin]

29 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

How was that a mistake? Surely his signing for Arsenal shows the guy had the potential, and that Brighton/Coventry couldn’t get it out of him.

 

You've answered your own question. 

[johnking123]

Could be a mistake,  not getting another striker.  Time will tell.

[Another Robbo]

3 minutes ago, ShedBoy said:

Have the club confirmed we’re done for the night 🤔

Not yet although media seem to think we are done. Tempting fate but I hope it means still working on something...

[davie1980]

33 minutes ago, jambo89 said:

We lost McMeekin for nothing and have got millions for Wilson. What is it that flies in the face of that claim? 

 

You said "Shows other youth players that it might be worth hanging around. You’ll still get your move and it will be to an Arsenal or Tottenham, rather than a Brighton or Villa"

 

Not sure what the transfer fee Hearts have received has to do with that.

But McMeekin going to a bigger club than Spurs tells you it might not be worth hanging around.

Thought that was pretty obvious

[DC_92]

4 minutes ago, Shankland31 said:

We always leave ourselves 1 short of ideal every window. In the summer it was a right back which came back to bite us pretty quickly. Have to hope Kabore and Braga stay fit for the season and Shankland gets back fit and firing asap. 
 

That said, we have a fantastic squad and we just have to go and win the league with what we’ve got. Bring on tomorrow night. Cmon the Hearts.

 

If we'd signed a striker we'd just have found something else to moan about. Creative midfielder maybe.

[soonbe110]

51 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

I hope you're wrong. We're a Scottish club, and I want to see us picking up the best Scottish talent the league has to offer where possible. Success comes first obviously, but I think part of why we're being as successful as we are this season is down to the strong Scottish core which is providing the platform for Braga & Kyzi in particular to shine. The experience guys like Halks, Findlay, Shanks and even Devlin (alright he's aussie, but I've never seen such a tailor made player for the scottish game ) bring to the table is huge. 

 

On Watson, the laddie is 20, and those 2/3 years you're referring to goes from 16-19 - the laddie made two 40+ appearance seasons under McInnes, so I don't really buy that he didn't fancy him. He's a young player, and like any young player would need minutes managed to keep him sharp and hungry, whilst also protecting him as needed. 

Can only go with what I see   Have watched Watson in every game he has played against us   Haven’t seen what the fuss is about  

Ww won’t be signing many young Scottish players going forward   Aiming much higher than that   This season suggests second,third tier leagues across Europe offer better   Which young Scottish players would have made the impact thatBraga, Kyzi, Kabord have made? 

[Gordons left glove]

3 minutes ago, Portable Badger said:

He’s injured.

Ahhh fair enough then

[fabienleclerq]

2 minutes ago, johnking123 said:

Could be a mistake,  not getting another striker.  Time will tell.

A mistake how? As far as the club has said we tried to get one.

[Duggie 1874]

8 minutes ago, Shankland31 said:

We always leave ourselves 1 short of ideal every window. In the summer it was a right back which came back to bite us pretty quickly. Have to hope Kabore and Braga stay fit for the season and Shankland gets back fit and firing asap. 
 

That said, we have a fantastic squad and we just have to go and win the league with what we’ve got. Bring on tomorrow night. Cmon the Hearts.

Yep , always a concern that Hearts relying on players staying fit, on the bright side take a look at the January window that the uglies are having , I would say we have still came out stronger 

[Shankland31]

1 minute ago, DC_92 said:

 

If we'd signed a striker we'd just have found something else to moan about. Creative midfielder maybe.

I would say Leonard is that. We definitely needed another striker.

[OTT]

Slim chance but players do get released prior to the window. Might find someone that ticks some boxes after the window shuts?

[Bozi]

Braga, Kabore, Kabangu, Mato, Chesnehkov....all capable of playing up front until Shanks is back...most teams would kill for that range if options

Another forward would have been great but the squad is terrific

[Sub4TiddlerMurray]

6 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

The timing was exceptionally lucky, outside of a transfer window and we're up shit creek. Plus, it sounds like Leonard did a lot to make it happen too. No idea about wage coverage etc. 

 

It was a magnificent piece of business 100%. 

 

[jamboinglasgow]

Really happy with this window.

 

I know we wanted one more striker but it was more a "would be nice to have " instead of a "must need," something our rivals are having to scramble around last minute to get players they really need. 

 

We have fixed our right back issue in Altena, got a right winger which we need in Chesnokov, solved a pontentially worrying situation in midfield quickly with Leonard, and got a talent in at left wing who at the moment is back up to Kyzi but is getting time to get used to Scottish football and ready to take over for him when he is sold in the summer, in Mato.

 

We have already got pre-contract deals in Findlay, Mato and McPake which is all part of the long term planning. In fact we have already got left wing sorted for next season well in advance.

 

We have moved a lot of fringe players out on loan. (Our squad is currently 30, though two out indefinitely in Nieuwenhof and Pollock, two out for a month or two in Devlin and Shankland, so currently it is 26 players which is manageable.) 

 

I do think people forget how difficult January is as a window, most clubs are only letting players go at this time if they are either doing poorly or the club is getting well over the price amounts. I think you find clubs waking up tomorrow wondering why did they sign so many players yesterday. I think we have treated this window the same as the Summer with careful thought out signings and not being prepared to overpay or say walk away from players who we dont think has the right attitude.

[InternationalJambo]

Just now, jamboinglasgow said:

Really happy with this window.

 

I know we wanted one more striker but it was more a "would be nice to have " instead of a "must need," something our rivals are having to scramble around last minute to get players they really need. 

 

We have fixed our right back issue in Altena, got a right winger which we need in Chesnokov, solved a pontentially worrying situation in midfield quickly with Leonard, and got a talent in at left wing who at the moment is back up to Kyzi but is getting time to get used to Scottish football and ready to take over for him when he is sold in the summer, in Mato.

 

We have already got pre-contract deals in Findlay, Mato and McPake which is all part of the long term planning. In fact we have already got left wing sorted for next season well in advance.

 

We have moved a lot of fringe players out on loan. (Our squad is currently 30, though two out indefinitely in Nieuwenhof and Pollock, two out for a month or two in Devlin and Shankland, so currently it is 26 players which is manageable.) 

 

I do think people forget how difficult January is as a window, most clubs are only letting players go at this time if they are either doing poorly or the club is getting well over the price amounts. I think you find clubs waking up tomorrow wondering why did they sign so many players yesterday. I think we have treated this window the same as the Summer with careful thought out signings and not being prepared to overpay or say walk away from players who we dont think has the right attitude.

Three windows ahead… 

 

Allegedly…

[Pingu]

We're told Mato and Chesnekov can both play centre forward. One of them proving to be a good option there would be very helpful!

[InternationalJambo]

Just now, Pingu said:

We're told Mato and Chesnekov can both play centre forward. One of them proving to be a good option there would be very helpful!

Who knows what Del is up to 😉 

[OTT]

Just now, jamboinglasgow said:

Really happy with this window.

 

I know we wanted one more striker but it was more a "would be nice to have " instead of a "must need," something our rivals are having to scramble around last minute to get players they really need. 

 

We have fixed our right back issue in Altena, got a right winger which we need in Chesnokov, solved a pontentially worrying situation in midfield quickly with Leonard, and got a talent in at left wing who at the moment is back up to Kyzi but is getting time to get used to Scottish football and ready to take over for him when he is sold in the summer, in Mato.

 

We have already got pre-contract deals in Findlay, Mato and McPake which is all part of the long term planning. In fact we have already got left wing sorted for next season well in advance.

 

We have moved a lot of fringe players out on loan. (Our squad is currently 30, though two out indefinitely in Nieuwenhof and Pollock, two out for a month or two in Devlin and Shankland, so currently it is 26 players which is manageable.) 

 

I do think people forget how difficult January is as a window, most clubs are only letting players go at this time if they are either doing poorly or the club is getting well over the price amounts. I think you find clubs waking up tomorrow wondering why did they sign so many players yesterday. I think we have treated this window the same as the Summer with careful thought out signings and not being prepared to overpay or say walk away from players who we dont think has the right attitude.

 

Yeah, I'd agree with this. 

 

It was a very strong window, and when you look at Celtic/Rangers, I think we probably did the better business. 

 

Leonard was a bit of a wildcard signing in terms of being a reactive signing to Cammy's injury/Beni's suspension, but I've a feeling he will be a mainstay in the team through to the end of the season. 

 

Very happy with the window. My niggling feeling is that not getting the striker in was a sore one. But it happens, and we're very strong across the pitch. 

 

I think there are a lot more happy Jambos than Celtic/Rangers fans, which is a good sign we've done well. 

 

[AndyNic]

Hopefully we can bring in Zap Knight in the summer. 

[Kalamazoo Jambo]

2 hours ago, CM Funk said:

Sky Sports listing the Wilson loans to Spurs on their selection of deadline day deals completed on their yellow side panel thing. Did I miss an announcement?

Yes!
 

https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/blogs/news/wilsons-spurs-loan

[Malinga the Swinga]

Maybe we should have signed 3 more forwards in case 2 of them got injured. You can't have an unlimited squad just in case something happens.

[RustyRightPeg]

Striker was a nice to have not a need. When you factor in Mato and Chesny both have the ability to play there when needed that’s 5 top quality options that 90% of the league are envious of not having. 

[AndyNic]

£2.5m + loan fee (let's say £500k) buys us about 8 or 9 players recommended by Jamestown who will then make us tens of millions so it's a good deal imo.

[johnking123]

Chesnehkovhas played up top by himself with kazakhstan right enough. Just feel physical striker would improve the odds on winning the league.  Time will tell, as I say. But but has been a good window.

[GinRummy]

@tartofmidlothian @selkirkhmfc1874 neither of you doing a summer transfer window thread this year?

Edited February 2 by GinRummy

[hmfc_liam06]

Told you all days ago, only @Lord Beni of Gorgie was paying attention 😅

[Martin B]

5 minutes ago, Bozi said:

Braga, Kabore, Kabangu, Mato, Chesnehkov....all capable of playing up front until Shanks is back...most teams would kill for that range if options

Another forward would have been great but the squad is terrific

Tommy North in the B team is also highly rated and could be an emergency option. 

[Cruyff]

The biggest thing is team spirit. Knowing that Kabore, Chesnokov, Kerjota, Mato can play their part in the title race and putting faith & trust in them rather than looking elsewhere. 

 

Plenty match winners at the club. Best squad we've ever had, probably. 

[InternationalJambo]

Just now, hmfc_liam06 said:

Told you all days ago, only @Lord Beni of Gorgie was paying attention 😅

[Drylaw Hearts]

Just now, Malinga the Swinga said:

Maybe we should have signed 3 more forwards in case 2 of them got injured. You can't have an unlimited squad just in case something happens.

If Derek McInnes thinks we needed to add another striker then I’m not entirely sure why so many on here are saying we didn’t need one.

 

Surely he’s the guy who knows best?

[Romulus]

Just now, johnking123 said:

Chesnehkovhas played up top by himself with kazakhstan right enough. Just feel physical striker would improve the odds on winning the league.  Time will tell, as I say. But but has been a good window.

I would argue Kabore can be the physical striker?

[OTT]

1 minute ago, johnking123 said:

Chesnehkovhas played up top by himself with kazakhstan right enough. Just feel physical striker would improve the odds on winning the league.  Time will tell, as I say. But but has been a good window.

 

Yeah, I like having a big ****er we can throw on when needed. Even a jobber like Mandron is useful to have, but would echo others sentiments that we were really in "want" territory rather than "need" territory. We got the business we needed done, done. Which is what was critical. 

 

No doubt I'll bitch about it later down the line but as things stand, very happy with a successful window. Stronger across the pitch than when we started!

[El Prez]

5 matches probably until Shankland is back.

 

Win them all 1 nil. Solved. 

[Malinga the Swinga]

1 minute ago, Drylaw Hearts said:

If Derek McInnes thinks we needed to add another striker then I’m not entirely sure why so many on here are saying we didn’t need one.

 

Surely he’s the guy who knows best?

Manager will always want another option but we have big squad and can't just continually add to it. Better waiting till summer and getting who we want than making rash punt and ending up with a 6 foot 4 forward that is shit.

[jamboinglasgow]

3 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

Yeah, I'd agree with this. 

 

It was a very strong window, and when you look at Celtic/Rangers, I think we probably did the better business. 

 

Leonard was a bit of a wildcard signing in terms of being a reactive signing to Cammy's injury/Beni's suspension, but I've a feeling he will be a mainstay in the team through to the end of the season. 

 

Very happy with the window. My niggling feeling is that not getting the striker in was a sore one. But it happens, and we're very strong across the pitch. 

 

I think there are a lot more happy Jambos than Celtic/Rangers fans, which is a good sign we've done well. 

 

 

It is a little annoying that the club didn't get a striker, but as I say January is a hard window and signing a striker is even harder (or to put it more precisely a striker on form, strikers the Old Firm are signing have low goal returns in recent seasons.) The club could have really overpaid for the targets they wanted, but its clear the club has a policy that they have values for signings determined by JTA and if the offer is over the value they walk.

 

I am certain come the summer we JTA will find a striker who fits what we want who we sign for the value JTA determine who we will rave about.

[OTT]

1 minute ago, El Prez said:

5 matches probably until Shankland is back.

 

Win them all 1 nil. Solved. 

 

Hoping Shanks can get back a wee bit sooner. Still praying the 6-8 weeks was a cautious estimate and he can beat that. 

[martoon]

I wonder if we can recall James from Spurs if necessary. 🤔 

[David McCaig]

5 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Are you not including us in this?

I totally agree this is a window in which we've signed Altena, Chesnokov, Leonard and Mato...that is phenomenal business.

[Drylaw Hearts]

1 minute ago, Malinga the Swinga said:

Manager will always want another option but we have big squad and can't just continually add to it. Better waiting till summer and getting who we want than making rash punt and ending up with a 6 foot 4 forward that is shit.

But the club were happy to add another striker.

 

So…..

 

McInnes wants a new striker…..the club say yes and try to sign a striker but somehow you still know best.

 

 

Ok…….

[CM Funk]

8 minutes ago, Kalamazoo Jambo said:

Yes!
 

https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/blogs/news/wilsons-spurs-loan

Well yes it’s been announced since I posted that! 😂

[El Prez]

1 minute ago, OTT said:

 

Hoping Shanks can get back a wee bit sooner. Still praying the 6-8 weeks was a cautious estimate and he can beat that. 

Maybe, but I don't think there's the requirement to force that issue. Not with the international break between the Aberdeen & Kilmarnock games. Can get some bounce minutes in those two weeks. Hearts won't let him go to Scotland friendlies I'd warrant. 

[Gershwin]

34 minutes ago, CM Funk said:

Is that a legit Hearts Standard graphic that has misspelt Vargas’s name?

 

 

Probably. They love a typo.

[RustyRightPeg]

Just now, David McCaig said:

I totally agree this is a window in which we've signed Altena, Chesnokov, Leonard and Mato...that is phenomenal business.

100%. Two full international forwards, a cigar smoking midfielder and a technically sound Dutch right back with a wicked delivery. We’re MILES stronger. People are saying we’re weaker, purely because Shanklands got a hamstring strain, that’s it. 

[Malinga the Swinga]

9 minutes ago, InternationalJambo said:

Pretty much the correct reaction to post I reckon.

[luckyBatistuta]

6 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

Yeah, I like having a big ****er we can throw on when needed. Even a jobber like Mandron is useful to have, but would echo others sentiments that we were really in "want" territory rather than "need" territory. We got the business we needed done, done. Which is what was critical. 

 

No doubt I'll bitch about it later down the line but as things stand, very happy with a successful window. Stronger across the pitch than when we started!

[CM Funk]

9 minutes ago, johnking123 said:

Chesnehkovhas played up top by himself with kazakhstan right enough. Just feel physical striker would improve the odds on winning the league.  Time will tell, as I say. But but has been a good window.

I’ve seen so many different spellings of Chesnokov’s name I’m starting to think people are talking about one of Vlad’s Lithuanians instead