Islam Chesnokov - it’s official

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

On 23/02/2026 at 17:16, hearts00 said:

Exactly. Not a hug the touch line flying winger. 
 

He is going to really split opinion I reckon. 
 

I normally enjoy Corbett on This is My Story podcast but his analysis of Chesnekov at the weekend was miles off it. Utterly miles off it. An example where someone has formed an opinion on a player and struggling to change it. 
 

Yes he didn’t take on his man on the outside. That ain’t going to happen. Indeed hardly anyone does that anymore. What he did though was work his balls off, make good runs from out to in, make intelligent runs in behind and scored a good goal.  

 

i think hes going to score a few goals for us - he needs to as we need a bit of a boost

 

yep hes rarely going to go on the outside - kyzi can and should be encouraged to do so more as every time he does it theres chaos in the box - dont think it directly has resulted  in a goal yet but lots of very near misses

 

i gave up on this is my story - i dont mind if someone has a strong opinion either way but when i listened the other guys just all agreed with corbett - although i’ll maybe listen to the chesno analysis now

 

 

 

 

 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Was ready to write him off until next season, if he can make some contribution again this week, I think the camp will help and he will be full throttle for the last9

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

Just now, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

Was ready to write him off until next season, if he can make some contribution again this week, I think the camp will help and he will be full throttle for the last9

 

yep i had high hopes for him - the debut wasnt encouraging but he looks like he could be the important player we hoped he’d be this season

 

another good move from del to take him out the team and concentrate on his fitness 

 

assuming chesno has still got a way to go settling-in / fitness - wise hopeful of continued improvement which could make him some player in a few games time

 

 

[tiger Rudi]

On 22/02/2026 at 08:35, kingantti1874 said:

Hes an entirely different style to kyzi but actually class, strong as ****, defends hard. And has class in those boots.  That finish is absolutely brilliant.   
 

think if we had altena running past him the treat would be double 

I think he's going to be a huge player next season. With any luck he will start having a real impact before then. That goal might just kick him on.

He's got more physical attributes than Kyzi and is less predictable. 

McInnes raves about his workrate. He's going to be a top player for us. 

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

just listening to this is my story podcast 

 

like many on here over the season claiming falkirk have targetted us down our right handside becuase we have ‘nothing there’

 

the targetting thing may be the case ive heard pundits on tv say similar

 

for balance - del said we were playing double-full back in the first game at ibrox as rangers are so strong down their left - we played falkirk the next week and del held the same team and again refernced that falkirk are so string down their left

 

how is it tagetting our right side when they do it to everyone pretty much - if their heat maps showed all the stuff going down their right week in week out and then suddenly v hearts a big switch to down their left then thats probably targetting

 

thats not whats been happening according to del at the time - its actually the reverse del trying to counter their strengths

 

 

[hearts00]

57 minutes ago, MoncurMacdonaldMercer said:

 

i think hes going to score a few goals for us - he needs to as we need a bit of a boost

 

yep hes rarely going to go on the outside - kyzi can and should be encouraged to do so more as every time he does it theres chaos in the box - dont think it directly has resulted  in a goal yet but lots of very near misses

 

i gave up on this is my story - i dont mind if someone has a strong opinion either way but when i listened the other guys just all agreed with corbett - although i’ll maybe listen to the chesno analysis now

 

 

 

 

 

I really enjoy this is my story but there has to be disagreement. Too much of a Corbett monologue and while he is insightful the analysis of Chesnekov the last two games is far from balanced. 

Edited February 25 by hearts00

[Thomaso]

With our horrendous injuries we desperately need Chesny to show us the form and goal scoring we hoped for.

That goal last week will hopefully give him a big boost. 

[Jack Torrance]

Nice interview from the lad.

 

https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/blogs/news/chesnokov-on-scoring-at-tynecastle-and-early-life-at-hearts

[comradejambo]

20 minutes ago, Jack Torrance said:

Nice interview from the lad.

 

https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/blogs/news/chesnokov-on-scoring-at-tynecastle-and-early-life-at-hearts

Great he’s making an effort to learn English. Very important for someone wanting to integrate and will help him in settling! 

[Gregorski]

Tomorrow is a game for Islam.

 

Tear them a new one mate! 

[Absolute Scenes]

Can’t wait to see him up against Aberdeen. They’ll not know much about it him so hopefully works massively in our favour

[IveSeenTheLight]

4 hours ago, Absolute Scenes said:

Can’t wait to see him up against Aberdeen. They’ll not know much about it him so hopefully works massively in our favour

Is he that good?

 

it’ll be an interesting battle between him and Molloy to watch

[Babertonhearts]

25 minutes ago, IveSeenTheLight said:

Is he that good?

 

it’ll be an interesting battle between him and Molloy to watch

Molloy not a dirty hopeless *******?

[Jambosteve1902]

2 minutes ago, Babertonhearts said:

Molloy not a dirty hopeless *******?

that covers a very large quantity of those sheep humping hobbits xD 

[Sub4TiddlerMurray]

25 minutes ago, IveSeenTheLight said:

Is he that good?

 

it’ll be an interesting battle between him and Molloy to watch

We don’t really know yet but he seems to have something.
 

He puts in a lot of effort, but not in a clumsy way. He then shows a bit of quality. As Del says, he creates moments that impact games. And, he seems to be the kind of guy that with growing confidence could be a real player.

 

But, he’s pretty raw and only really at the start of what we hope will be a great story.

 

….of course, it might not go that way 😁

[Watt-Zeefuik]

40 minutes ago, IveSeenTheLight said:

Is he that good?

 

it’ll be an interesting battle between him and Molloy to watch

 

We're just starting to see what he can do, but his goal last week was really clever, he moves well, and he puts in a lot of effort on defence.

 

His highlights from the Kazakh league had us all drooling but of course it's hard to know how it's going to translate to Scottish football. His first game in he didn't do much with the ball but got stuck in really well. Had an off one against Rangers with a very slight card early and got subbed. But this does seem like the game for him.

[Absolute Scenes]

1 hour ago, IveSeenTheLight said:

Is he that good?

 

it’ll be an interesting battle between him and Molloy to watch

Who knows. But I still canny wait

[OTT]

1 hour ago, IveSeenTheLight said:

Is he that good?

 

it’ll be an interesting battle between him and Molloy to watch

 

Yet to be determined I think. 

 

As others have said, been a mixed bag so far, but with all his international caps, and the considerable following he seems to have from his homeland, there does look to be a player there (may sound silly, but folk don't follow a dud, and any social media post involving him has a rake of posts from folk from Kazakhstan). Had some nice moments v Falkirk, so could be ready to build on that against you guys. Downsides are his first game (also against Falkirk) he struggled, and against Rangers he didn't really get any opportunity to properly attack because everything went down the other side. 

 

He looks tailor made for this league though. Has the physicality etc. Think the key is that he's able to take the pressure off Kyzi on the left. We've been a bit of a one card trick in our attacking play (IMO) with being so reliant on Kyzi to create and be our creative/attacking outlet. So defenders have been doubling up on him, and he's lost a bit of his impact in recent games. 

 

Was also a bit frustrated in his second game v Falkirk as Steinwender wasn't playing balls he could work with. Everything came short, and for a winger that looks to be as much use as a chocolate kettle. Was fixed in the second half to Steinwenders credit, but important that is carried through into this game.

[Italian Lambretta]

I predict the wee Kasak will do some proper sheep shearing today.

[NextGenerationJambo]

Got an assist in Kazakhstan's friendly that's happening right now. Was actually a low, curling right footed shot that came back off the post and his team mate had a tap in. The line up has him playing RW in a 433, but his goal came from the left hand side. Not sure if that's correct and he is playing on the left, or if he somehow just found himself over that side. Should be good for his confidence!

[Hømme]

I've been watching. He was playing on the right first half, appears to be more central in the second. Did well at the goal but ultimately he's not been involved much IMO.

[OTT]

I've been a little underwhelmed with Chesny so far. 

 

I think he can absolutely improve though, clearly we wouldn't have recruited him if this wasn't the case. Do wonder what needs to change to make that happen though, is it just a timing issue, and the longer he's here the more in tune with his teammates and style of play he will become ? 

 

Fingers crossed! 

[BigStein]

1 minute ago, OTT said:

I've been a little underwhelmed with Chesny so far. 

 

I think he can absolutely improve though, clearly we wouldn't have recruited him if this wasn't the case. Do wonder what needs to change to make that happen though, is it just a timing issue, and the longer he's here the more in tune with his teammates and style of play he will become ? 

 

Fingers crossed! 

 

His movement off the ball is quite unorthodox. I think once he builds an understanding with the strikers and right backs he'll only improve

[Hømme]

Kazahkstan win 1-0. 

 

Chesnokov didn't do anything wrong. Did well at the goal. Ultimately it was a game that kind of passed him by. 

 

The main positive is he got the whole 90 and picked up an assist.

Edited March 31 by Hømme

[OTT]

27 minutes ago, BigStein said:

 

His movement off the ball is quite unorthodox. I think once he builds an understanding with the strikers and right backs he'll only improve

 

Yeah, I really don't want to contribute to a negative narrative around him, the reality is that without Shanks, our attack falters. He's IMO what makes us tick, and Kyzi for example has really suffered in his absence. To expect whirlwind performances from Chensy without Shanks even in the team is unfair, coupled with getting used to the style of play, new teammates and new country. Think once he both him & Kyzi have Shanks to work from again, they'll both surely hit the levels we're expecting (and in Kyzi's case, again, because he was class before we lost Shanks). 

 

Just really need our attack to click back into top gear for these final games. 

[thehibsareintheirbeds]

Didnt see game but really good pressing to rob ball, starting chasing from wide on right to opposite side of the box for the goal.  He's definitely got something different and his work rate can only help

[JimmyCant]

35 minutes ago, OTT said:

I've been a little underwhelmed with Chesny so far. 

 

I think he can absolutely improve though, clearly we wouldn't have recruited him if this wasn't the case. Do wonder what needs to change to make that happen though, is it just a timing issue, and the longer he's here the more in tune with his teammates and style of play he will become ? 

 

Fingers crossed! 

He’s got the workrate and the attitude for me. Just a case of him settling and finding his role and I think he’ll be fine. One for next season Id say

[NextGenerationJambo]

22 minutes ago, OTT said:

I've been a little underwhelmed with Chesny so far. 

 

I think he can absolutely improve though, clearly we wouldn't have recruited him if this wasn't the case. Do wonder what needs to change to make that happen though, is it just a timing issue, and the longer he's here the more in tune with his teammates and style of play he will become ? 

 

Fingers crossed! 

 

One of the things Alex Muzio told DM and Jones, when they went over to Brussels at the start of the season, is that every player will take a different amount of time to acclimatise. Some will hit the ground running right away, and some may take a season or even 2 to show the best of themselves, but to be patient as most signings will work out, given time. Patience is not a virtue often attributed to football fans, never mind hearts fans!

 

We have been spoiled by the likes of Braga, Kyzi, McEntee, Findlay, Magnusson, Schwolow, and Leonard fitting in seamlessly, for the most part. I don't think you can boil a player not impressing right away down to a single factor, as you have mentioned; it's different team mates, style of play, football culture, societal culture, weather, expectations, language barriers, lack of pre-season, etc etc. We as fans need to fight the urge to judge a player as quickly as we usually do. There is a reason JTA only scores a player after 3000 minutes (ideally, even more) and not 300. Not saying that you have unfairly judged him, it's more just a general point. JTA works, it has been proven in multiple environments, it's up to us as fans to create an environment conducive to making the players feel as comfortable and as confident as possible, but even with all the help in the world, some people just take longer than others, it's just how it is. 

[The Treasurer]

8 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

Yeah, I really don't want to contribute to a negative narrative around him, the reality is that without Shanks, our attack falters. He's IMO what makes us tick, and Kyzi for example has really suffered in his absence. To expect whirlwind performances from Chensy without Shanks even in the team is unfair, coupled with getting used to the style of play, new teammates and new country. Think once he both him & Kyzi have Shanks to work from again, they'll both surely hit the levels we're expecting (and in Kyzi's case, again, because he was class before we lost Shanks). 

 

Just really need our attack to click back into top gear for these final games. 

I think any team would falter if they were missing the top striker in the country, regardless of how good the rest of the team are 

[Diadora Van Basten]

What I have noticed about Chesnokov is whenever he has played he has made chances for himself.

 

McInnes has described him as a moments player and we will find out in time if that’s true. 
 

I think he has been shoe horned in to the team and was surprised he was left out of the starting eleven after he scored against Falkirk. 

[Taffin]

Probably tricky to build up much understanding with an ever changing RB behind you I guess.

 

Reckon that'll continue and in turn out RM struggle. He works hard and seems committed and talented so fair play to him, but probably limited in how much he can improve things due to the above

[OTT]

43 minutes ago, NextGenerationJambo said:

 

One of the things Alex Muzio told DM and Jones, when they went over to Brussels at the start of the season, is that every player will take a different amount of time to acclimatise. Some will hit the ground running right away, and some may take a season or even 2 to show the best of themselves, but to be patient as most signings will work out, given time. Patience is not a virtue often attributed to football fans, never mind hearts fans!

 

We have been spoiled by the likes of Braga, Kyzi, McEntee, Findlay, Magnusson, Schwolow, and Leonard fitting in seamlessly, for the most part. I don't think you can boil a player not impressing right away down to a single factor, as you have mentioned; it's different team mates, style of play, football culture, societal culture, weather, expectations, language barriers, lack of pre-season, etc etc. We as fans need to fight the urge to judge a player as quickly as we usually do. There is a reason JTA only scores a player after 3000 minutes (ideally, even more) and not 300. Not saying that you have unfairly judged him, it's more just a general point. JTA works, it has been proven in multiple environments, it's up to us as fans to create an environment conducive to making the players feel as comfortable and as confident as possible, but even with all the help in the world, some people just take longer than others, it's just how it is. 

 

Great post, very much in agreement!

 

44 minutes ago, JimmyCant said:

He’s got the workrate and the attitude for me. Just a case of him settling and finding his role and I think he’ll be fine. One for next season Id say

 

Yeah I think you're spot on here, even some of the fouling, shows he's very much giving it his all and fighting for every ball he gets. 

 

Its a risk I'm not sure McInnes will take, but I'd love to see Altena behind him instead of Steinwender. Something which bothered me a few games back was the balls into feet that Steinwender was playing, it wasn't giving him anything to work with, as the defender was immediately tight and he wasn't getting any space or the ability to take the ball on the move. Think a more attack minded option behind him would sort that as Altena will almost certainly view the game a bit differently to Steinwender by virtue of his ability on the ball. 

[Hertz21]

Regardless good run out for the lad much needed.

[Jambo dans les Pyrenees]

1 hour ago, Diadora Van Basten said:

What I have noticed about Chesnokov is whenever he has played he has made chances for himself.

 

McInnes has described him as a moments player and we will find out in time if that’s true. 
 

I think he has been shoe horned in to the team and was surprised he was left out of the starting eleven after he scored against Falkirk. 

 

Hard working, strong and technically very good - as others have mentioned he creates things (and his goal v Falkirk was very good).

 

I think he’ll be very strong for us, if not in the run in but next season.

 

Echo what others have said re more certainty in the team around him, particularly RB and his adaptation being probably a bit longer due to language.

[JimmyCant]

31 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

Great post, very much in agreement!

 

 

Yeah I think you're spot on here, even some of the fouling, shows he's very much giving it his all and fighting for every ball he gets. 

 

Its a risk I'm not sure McInnes will take, but I'd love to see Altena behind him instead of Steinwender. Something which bothered me a few games back was the balls into feet that Steinwender was playing, it wasn't giving him anything to work with, as the defender was immediately tight and he wasn't getting any space or the ability to take the ball on the move. Think a more attack minded option behind him would sort that as Altena will almost certainly view the game a bit differently to Steinwender by virtue of his ability on the ball. 

Yeh I think it’s becoming clear that McInnes sees Altena further forward and the back 4 look like being 3 centre backs and a LWB most of the time. 

[Robbo-Jambo]

He is certainly not the natural winger I thought we were getting but he has done OK so far. 

 

Think Shanks being back with help all our forward players. 

 

Certainly cannot fault Chesney's work rate. 

[Cruyff]

We've seen flashes of his ability.  I think he just needs time. He's probably more of a second striker than a winger tbf. 

[Rudy T]

He needs to relax on the pitch, every time he gets the ball it’s like he feels he must do something special. A pass 5 yards to a team mate will do sometimes ease yourself into the game, he’s like a kid on a trial. Magnusson was the same when he first came in, he’s getting much better now he’s had more starts and hopefully Ches goes the same way. 

[maybolejambo]

[RustyRightPeg]

Just now, maybolejambo said:

Nice. 

[One five]

1 hour ago, Cruyff said:

We've seen flashes of his ability.  I think he just needs time. He's probably more of a second striker than a winger tbf. 

Agree mate.

[johnking123]

Would not surprise me if we get a bid from some clubs for him in summer.

[One five]

23 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Nice. 

I must apologise for my comments about Kabore last week RRP, I was a bit drunk 🥴. I watched the game as I recovered it and you were correct he does contribute to the game . Hope you can except my apologies.

[RustyRightPeg]

40 minutes ago, One five said:

I must apologise for my comments about Kabore last week RRP, I was a bit drunk 🥴. I watched the game as I recovered it and you were correct he does contribute to the game . Hope you can except my apologies.

No need to apologise my friend. It’s a message board we all say what we think in the heat of the moment. The difficulty with the internet is how people interpret it 👍 

 

I’ve been on the other end many a time. 

[One five]

6 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

No need to apologise my friend. It’s a message board we all say what we think in the heat of the moment. The difficulty with the internet is how people interpret it 👍 

 

I’ve been on the other end many a time. 

👍

[Bairnjambo]

2 hours ago, One five said:

I must apologise for my comments about Kabore last week RRP, I was a bit drunk 🥴. I watched the game as I recovered it and you were correct he does contribute to the game . Hope you can except my apologies.

A rare gem on Kickback. Someone admitting that they got something wrong. 

[JJ93]

He is aggressive which I like.

[Masonic]

3 hours ago, maybolejambo said:

 

theres plenty of players of the tournament its been awarded per group

[Portable Badger]

6 hours ago, Masonic said:

 

theres plenty of players of the tournament its been awarded per group

Regardless- it clearly demonstrates that we have a decent player in our squad. Hope to see a more consistent contribution from him going forward.

[kingantti1874]

3 hours ago, Portable Badger said:

Regardless- it clearly demonstrates that we have a decent player in our squad. Hope to see a more consistent contribution from him going forward.

yep.  I don’t think he’s let us down at all but very clear there is more to come.

 

im thinking get him on the pitch with shanks and he will make a big difference