Heart Of Midlothian summer transfer window 2026 - Josh McPake signed

[jamboinglasgow]

25 minutes ago, OldCastleRock1874 said:

The good news for us moving forward is that JTA will have them (young scottish talent)identified much earlier in their careers. That's dependant of course on how we use JTA. We should have a default set to scan the scottish leagues continually, without any particular 'filter'. Just flag the guys showing promise to make it at at the top of the tier and/or above

 

Its a good point.

 

JTA have information on all players down to League One in Scotland so it means that they can find players who could make the leap up and be seen as hidden. We did it with Milne and we are doing it with McPake. Now both of those may be known or rated in their leagues but I think JTA removes the snobbish some Premiership clubs may have to lower league players, especially a club like ours who is seen as a team battling at the top end of the league. I think even though players in all these leagues will be known to clubs, the data may pick up things that scouting would miss and can spot a player excelling even if their team isn't.

 

I post earlier in the week a report from the daily Record about a Rangers youngster who is out of contract about attracting interest from the Premier league down south but interestingly from the Premiership as well. He is on loan at Alloa. Made me wonder if we are the Scottish Premiership side as Jamestown could identify these players.

[Bozi]

Halkett has started 26 games in the league this year, his fitness isn't an issue but, like Findlay he has maybe played a bit too often

[GinRummy]

38 minutes ago, Bozi said:

Halkett has started 26 games in the league this year, his fitness isn't an issue but, like Findlay he has maybe played a bit too often

I don’t really no what you mean. 
 

He’s only played a game a week with plenty of breaks for cup games and internationals. How can he have played too often?

[Jamboross]

50 minutes ago, Bozi said:

Halkett has started 26 games in the league this year, his fitness isn't an issue but, like Findlay he has maybe played a bit too often

 

Has he not been nursing a chronic back issue for a while? I know it was his back that did him in during the warm up for the Dundee game but I'm sure I read/heard somewhere it's been troubling him for some time. His fitness very much is a concern, this is the first time in 4 years he's managed more than 17 league games for us, I love the guy but his body can't be relied on long term. 

[OTT]

1 hour ago, Jamboross said:

 

Has he not been nursing a chronic back issue for a while? I know it was his back that did him in during the warm up for the Dundee game but I'm sure I read/heard somewhere it's been troubling him for some time. His fitness very much is a concern, this is the first time in 4 years he's managed more than 17 league games for us, I love the guy but his body can't be relied on long term. 

 

I think we're playing with fire with Halkett a bit. 

 

Next season, I think we'd be very silly not to try and challenge him with a new signing. 

 

Great player, and one of my favourites in recent years, but equally we can't allow ourselves to be in the position of having to wrap a starting CB in cotton wool. Need to find a John Souttar type in their early 20s ready to make that next step. 

[johnking123]

39 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

I think we're playing with fire with Halkett a bit. 

 

Next season, I think we'd be very silly not to try and challenge him with a new signing. 

 

Great player, and one of my favourites in recent years, but equally we can't allow ourselves to be in the position of having to wrap a starting CB in cotton wool. Need to find a John Souttar type in their early 20s ready to make that next step. 

100%. As I say, should be looking to improve on him. But he would still get plenty game time. Hopefully because we are in Europe.

[Hungry hippo]

3 hours ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Its a good point.

 

JTA have information on all players down to League One in Scotland so it means that they can find players who could make the leap up and be seen as hidden. We did it with Milne and we are doing it with McPake. Now both of those may be known or rated in their leagues but I think JTA removes the snobbish some Premiership clubs may have to lower league players, especially a club like ours who is seen as a team battling at the top end of the league. I think even though players in all these leagues will be known to clubs, the data may pick up things that scouting would miss and can spot a player excelling even if their team isn't.

 

I post earlier in the week a report from the daily Record about a Rangers youngster who is out of contract about attracting interest from the Premier league down south but interestingly from the Premiership as well. He is on loan at Alloa. Made me wonder if we are the Scottish Premiership side as Jamestown could identify these players.

 

Pretty sure McInnes said to Si Ferry a while ago that JTA do Scottish League 2 also.

[jamboinglasgow]

28 minutes ago, Hungry hippo said:

 

Pretty sure McInnes said to Si Ferry a while ago that JTA do Scottish League 2 also.

 

he did, meant to put League Two.

[davie1980]

1 hour ago, OTT said:

Need to find a John Souttar type in their early 20s ready to make that next step. 

 

You could maybe have picked someone who spent less time on our injury table

[OldCastleRock1874]

4 hours ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Its a good point.

 

JTA have information on all players down to League One in Scotland so it means that they can find players who could make the leap up and be seen as hidden. We did it with Milne and we are doing it with McPake. Now both of those may be known or rated in their leagues but I think JTA removes the snobbish some Premiership clubs may have to lower league players, especially a club like ours who is seen as a team battling at the top end of the league. I think even though players in all these leagues will be known to clubs, the data may pick up things that scouting would miss and can spot a player excelling even if their team isn't.

 

I post earlier in the week a report from the daily Record about a Rangers youngster who is out of contract about attracting interest from the Premier league down south but interestingly from the Premiership as well. He is on loan at Alloa. Made me wonder if we are the Scottish Premiership side as Jamestown could identify these players.

Could easily be Hearts. But I also think clubs will second guess the analytics by simply looking at goals scored/chances created etc as a barometer and take a punt.

 

Lets face it, we have been guilty of missing out on the good ones up till now and somehow bagging the ones who didn't quite cut it. 

 

At least now we can score the best undervalued young Scottish talent to fill the squad for European quotas and supplement the fist 11. 

 

The frustrating thing at the minute is developing our own top talent under the radar of the EPL clubs. 

[OldCastleRock1874]

50 minutes ago, Hungry hippo said:

 

Pretty sure McInnes said to Si Ferry a while ago that JTA do Scottish League 2 also.

And no doubt further with the cooperation agreements in place. It's a must now.

[Beave1874]

50 minutes ago, OldCastleRock1874 said:

Could easily be Hearts. But I also think clubs will second guess the analytics by simply looking at goals scored/chances created etc as a barometer and take a punt.

 

Lets face it, we have been guilty of missing out on the good ones up till now and somehow bagging the ones who didn't quite cut it. 

 

At least now we can score the best undervalued young Scottish talent to fill the squad for European quotas and supplement the fist 11. 

 

The frustrating thing at the minute is developing our own top talent under the radar of the EPL clubs. 

 

This is genuinely it for me...We get a talent and the EPL snaps them up for buttons and we cannot control it. Wilson, so far, has been the exception. Despite him being away jut now, he knocked back several EPL teams to resign for us and try and learn here.

[tiger Rudi]

Bound to be a decent young CB out there on the JTA radar. We haved moved onwards and up on signing guys like Souttar. I hope after our experiences with him, Halks, Hoff, Beni and now Ageu and Borch that there are no further risks taken on players with any serious injury history.

They are not worth it. Halks and Beni have done us a turn but just how unsettling is it to see them out of the team at crucial stages of a league campaign. 

No doubt Halks will get nursed through next season to good effect, but we don't need many more in a squad.

[davie1980]

3 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

Bound to be a decent young CB out there on the JTA radar. We haved moved onwards and up on signing guys like Souttar. I hope after our experiences with him, Halks, Hoff, Beni and now Ageu and Borch that there are no further risks taken on players with any serious injury history.

They are not worth it. Halks and Beni have done us a turn but just how unsettling is it to see them out of the team at crucial stages of a league campaign. 

No doubt Halks will get nursed through next season to good effect, but we don't need many more in a squad.

 

If we have regular European football and we still have a manager that relies on him heavily and haven't signed an upgrade, I can see Halkett breaking down more than once next year.

 

I'd love to be proven wrong but I can't see Halks body standing up to two games a week.

 

Lots of ifs in that statement of course.

[kingantti1874]

8 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

Bound to be a decent young CB out there on the JTA radar. We haved moved onwards and up on signing guys like Souttar. I hope after our experiences with him, Halks, Hoff, Beni and now Ageu and Borch that there are no further risks taken on players with any serious injury history.

They are not worth it. Halks and Beni have done us a turn but just how unsettling is it to see them out of the team at crucial stages of a league campaign. 

No doubt Halks will get nursed through next season to good effect, but we don't need many more in a squad.

we need to find someone like that Emmanuel Fernandez.  6 ft 6 and a a physical specimen . We need to find those all over the team. 

[Penrices left boot]

Barney Stewart, gets the  goals that takes points of the OF to aid us win the league, mysteriously gets a bug v us and then signs as a hero before he's kicked a ball for us in the summer.

 

 

[Penrices left boot]

14 hours ago, Bozi said:

Halkett has started 26 games in the league this year, his fitness isn't an issue but, like Findlay he has maybe played a bit too often

 

With Europe and extended cup runs Halketts fitness will always be a concern, his chronic back issue won't get better with a heavier workload and age.

 

Tbh, every player is upgradeable with JTA, I doubt one player will be here in 3/ 4 seasons.

 

Gonna be big turnover each year, not to mention if we do actually win the league, probably puts us way ahead in terms of plans.

[Shug73]

41 minutes ago, kingantti1874 said:

we need to find someone like that Emmanuel Fernandez.  6 ft 6 and a a physical specimen . We need to find those all over the team. 

 Ah, you mean the Kevin James of Rangers. Asset at set pieces, but from what I have seen, a terrible defender. Brain farts pretty much every game.

[OTT]

10 hours ago, davie1980 said:

 

You could maybe have picked someone who spent less time on our injury table

 

 

 

Andy Webster then! I just meant a young up and coming CB who has potential and could really challenge Halks/ we'd feel comfortable utilising to then rest Halks as needed. 

 

I think the league has an embarrassment of riches in terms of left sided CBs at the moment - Ross Graham (Dundee Utd), Miguel Freckleton (St Mirren) and Luke Graham (Dundee). We could really do with someone on the right who could compliment Findlay or bring a similar strong presence that Halks does.  - With the caveat that they can actually head a ball, no more Frankie Kent, Kye Rowles or Toby Sibbicks pls... 

[Bozi]

14 hours ago, GinRummy said:

I don’t really no what you mean. 
 

He’s only played a game a week with plenty of breaks for cup games and internationals. How can he have played too often?

Let me start by saying that I was one of those who thought Halkett should be let go last summer, I thought his body was wrecked at 

30. Given his previous history it is more games than he has played in previous years, if we had had a less disrupted backline this year (seriously how many combinations have we been forced into this season?) he may have been rested a bit. 

That said though he has been available for selection pretty much every game unless suspended and the back spasm is the exception not the rule this year. 

14 hours ago, Jamboross said:

 

Has he not been nursing a chronic back issue for a while? I know it was his back that did him in during the warm up for the Dundee game but I'm sure I read/heard somewhere it's been troubling him for some time. His fitness very much is a concern, this is the first time in 4 years he's managed more than 17 league games for us, I love the guy but his body can't be relied on long term. 

As above, while I agree on his history, the facts are that he has been an almost constant presence this year barring suspension. 

Yes long-term this will probably be his best, most consistent season but so far this term he has been exceptional and available 

32 minutes ago, Penrices left boot said:

 

With Europe and extended cup runs Halketts fitness will always be a concern, his chronic back issue won't get better with a heavier workload and age.

 

Tbh, every player is upgradeable with JTA, I doubt one player will be here in 3/ 4 seasons.

 

Gonna be big turnover each year, not to mention if we do actually win the league, probably puts us way ahead in terms of plans.

Oh I absolutely agree that I want someone you get, fitter, bigger and stronger in there I just think it's unfair on him to state fitness is an issue this year 

[Batistuta9]

1 hour ago, kingantti1874 said:

we need to find someone like that Emmanuel Fernandez.  6 ft 6 and a a physical specimen . We need to find those all over the team. 

Would love us to sign a big ripped 6ft5 Ghanian or something; and just watch him spend 90mins battering anyone who comes near him. 

 

Edited April 10 by Batistuta9

[Babertonhearts]

So Halkett who has held us together more or less all season, despite playing with an injury, has one bad game is now deemed a discard by the KB chosen, unbelievable.

[Hertz21]

7 minutes ago, Babertonhearts said:

So Halkett who has held us together more or less all season, despite playing with an injury, has one bad game is now deemed a discard by the KB chosen, unbelievable.

Nope you’ve just went to the extreme there. I feel it’s people fairly talking about ways to upgrade the side.

 

It will get to the point where you are replacing reliable solid players with even better players. It would be naive to not future plan.

Edited April 10 by Hertz21

[Batistuta9]

15 minutes ago, Babertonhearts said:

So Halkett who has held us together more or less all season, despite playing with an injury, has one bad game is now deemed a discard by the KB chosen, unbelievable.

I don't think anyone actively wants rid of him but it would be stupid not to bring in upgrades if they're available - and that goes for the whole squad. Frankie Kent looks to be leaving when his deal runs out at the end of the season and there's been no chat on a new deal for him as far as I remember - so we'll almost certainly be signing a new CB. I love Halkett and he's been absolutely fantastic on the whole, but if the incoming player is better and nudges him out of the starting 11 then unfortunately that's just football and its up to him to compete.

 

Edited April 10 by Batistuta9

[tiger Rudi]

59 minutes ago, Shug73 said:

 Ah, you mean the Kevin James of Rangers. Asset at set pieces, but from what I have seen, a terrible defender. Brain farts pretty much every game.

Hmm not so sure. A bit of an enigma at the start of the season but has settled down a bit now. Can see him being a really capable defender tbh. Would like someone of similar stature at Hearts.

[tiger Rudi]

17 minutes ago, Babertonhearts said:

So Halkett who has held us together more or less all season, despite playing with an injury, has one bad game is now deemed a discard by the KB chosen, unbelievable.

Add in European games next season and it will be Halkett that needs held together. He's a brilliant defender but we need someone that can step in at any time and be as good or better. Nobody is saying get rid, just that we need to have another steady option. Steinwender is decent in his rightful position, but not sure he's rated that much by McInnes. Been hung out to dry a bit covering our RB woes.

[Penrices left boot]

19 minutes ago, Babertonhearts said:

So Halkett who has held us together more or less all season, despite playing with an injury, has one bad game is now deemed a discard by the KB chosen, unbelievable.

 

 

Nah, you're couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

 

Halkett has a chronic back problem and has a injury history of long lay offs.

We may not be able to rely on him over  a 50-60 game season and will need quality replacements or an upgrade if we want to continue to improve.

 

Halkett can still play a huge part.

 

 

 

[johnking123]

Don't want rid of Halkett.  Just don't have to rely on him being first pick all season. Want someone better and hopefully younger. He to excellent backup with injuries or player need a rest. 

[Babertonhearts]

9 minutes ago, Penrices left boot said:

 

 

Nah, you're couldn't be more wrong if you tried.

 

Halkett has a chronic back problem and has a injury history of long lay offs.

We may not be able to rely on him over  a 50-60 game season and will need quality replacements or an upgrade if we want to continue to improve.

 

Halkett can still play a huge part.

 

 

 

Chronic bad problem now has he. That's just lovely putting that on here. Last I read he had back spasms occasionally.

[Duggie 1874]

We should be looking to improve the quality in every position over time , this is how JTA works , in the summer some positions should be easier to improve than others and lot will depend on decent bids for our current players 

[johnking123]

Halkett has a bad back basically. He has had it for a couple of years. Ain't going to go away. Rest as we all know helps. Not playing every game. Which he can't do.

Edited April 10 by johnking123

[indianajones]

Halkett has a great season. Probably his best ever. 

 

Fine to discuss the succession though. Excited for JTA times.

[boag1874]

11 hours ago, Beave1874 said:

 

This is genuinely it for me...We get a talent and the EPL snaps them up for buttons and we cannot control it. Wilson, so far, has been the exception. Despite him being away jut now, he knocked back several EPL teams to resign for us and try and learn here.

And we'll get decent money for him this summer too if he does stay down there whereas the others leave for next to nothing before we even see them play.

[Absolute Scenes]

1 hour ago, Babertonhearts said:

So Halkett who has held us together more or less all season, despite playing with an injury, has one bad game is now deemed a discard by the KB chosen, unbelievable.

I think the issue is that Halkett and Findlays bad games have come at the worst times. Findlay against Hibs at ER is one of the worst at games I’ve seen a centre half have at hearts. Likewise Halkett not as bad as that against Livingston but still bad. We need JTA to pull out defenders who are consistent in performance. Easier said than done though I know. 
 

Having said all that still, Halkett has had probably his best season with us. He’s been solid. It’s just whether or not we’d look stronger with him still as our number 1 centre back next season 

[Penrices left boot]

1 hour ago, Babertonhearts said:

Chronic bad problem now has he. That's just lovely putting that on here. Last I read he had back spasms occasionally.

 

Aye, whatever it is, even if back spasms ( which can be a chronic back problem),playing more games and age won't help it.

 

Stop being so offended and twisting folks words.

 

 

[Portable Badger]

1 hour ago, indianajones said:

Halkett has a great season. Probably his best ever. 

 

Fine to discuss the succession though. Excited for JTA times.

There are question marks over how quickly we can accommodate additional CH for succession purposes. Halkett, Findlay & Steinwender still have 2 more seasons left on their contracts. McCart has another 3 seasons.

Steinwender might be the only realistic one we could sell on for a profit while the others probably wouldn’t be able to match their salary elsewhere in Scotland. 

[LSC]

Halkett should have been replaced 2 or 3 seasons ago ,he should be fighting for his place which he isn’t it’s crazy 

[Jamboross]

1 hour ago, Babertonhearts said:

Chronic bad problem now has he. That's just lovely putting that on here. Last I read he had back spasms occasionally.

 

What are you waffling about? It's an ongoing issue and has been since at least the 3-0 win at Rugby Park when he was subbed off because he'd been struggling with it. It's a niggly thing that they can seemingly manage and presumably playing through it isn't making it worse but it's the sort of thing that will likely crop up more and more now he's into his 30s. 

 

None of us have said we want to actively replace him but it's only sensible to bring in a younger right sided CB to step in if and when he is injured and to push him to keep up the good form if he stays fit.

Edited April 10 by Jamboross

[jamboinglasgow]

1 hour ago, Duggie 1874 said:

We should be looking to improve the quality in every position over time , this is how JTA works , in the summer some positions should be easier to improve than others and lot will depend on decent bids for our current players 

 

Exactly, we are looking to build on our squad to make it better as a whole. Though with players taking to time adapt when they sign (though not all) then it is more fluid in movement as the original player (say Halkett) continues starting before eventually being replaced by the newer player who has had time to build up.

[Batistuta9]

2 hours ago, Babertonhearts said:

Chronic bad problem now has he. That's just lovely putting that on here. Last I read he had back spasms occasionally.

Chronic = a long-standing or recurring issue. 

Stop being a snowflake. 

 

[Babertonhearts]

14 minutes ago, Batistuta9 said:

Chronic = a long-standing or recurring issue. 

Stop being a snowflake. 

 

Takes one to know one, in your world Osbourne replaces him...

 

 

 

[tcjambo]

4 hours ago, Penrices left boot said:

Barney Stewart, gets the  goals that takes points of the OF to aid us win the league, mysteriously gets a bug v us and then signs as a hero before he's kicked a ball for us in the summer.

 

 

Fortunately it is only a 48 hour bug on the 12-14th May and he mysteriously is recovered by the 16th ready to torment Sevco for a second time.

[tcjambo]

1 hour ago, Portable Badger said:

There are question marks over how quickly we can accommodate additional CH for succession purposes. Halkett, Findlay & Steinwender still have 2 more seasons left on their contracts. McCart has another 3 seasons.

Steinwender might be the only realistic one we could sell on for a profit while the others probably wouldn’t be able to match their salary elsewhere in Scotland. 

I reckon McCart probably isn't on a massive wage. I think he would have chosen length of contract over wage. Decent player but we could do with a younger under-study to Findlay. 

[Jamboross]

51 minutes ago, Babertonhearts said:

Takes one to know one, in your world Osbourne replaces him...

 

 

 

 

Who's to say Osbourne can't replace him within the next year or two? He's an excellent prospect and if a pathway into the first team can keep him here rather than moving down to one of the big English academies than that's a good thing. He's only marginally younger than Berra and Webster were when they came into the team. 

[Batistuta9]

1 hour ago, Babertonhearts said:

Takes one to know one, in your world Osbourne replaces him...

 

 

 

Odd comment. Suits you though - you are a bit of an odd one.

Osborne is near the first team - that is a fact. And who's to say he isn't an eventual replacement in a couple of years' time?

Instead of criticising those who praise his progress and hope he succeeds, how about you act like a normal Hearts fan, get behind the lad, and hope that he does?

🤡

Edited April 10 by Batistuta9

[Pasquale for King]

3 hours ago, tcjambo said:

I reckon McCart probably isn't on a massive wage. I think he would have chosen length of contract over wage. Decent player but we could do with a younger under-study to Findlay. 

We could do with a better player than either tbh, we won’t progress much without that. 

[Babertonhearts]

1 hour ago, Batistuta9 said:

Odd comment. Suits you though - you are a bit of an odd one.

Osborne is near the first team - that is a fact. And who's to say he isn't an eventual replacement in a couple of years' time?

Instead of criticising those who praise his progress and hope he succeeds, how about you act like a normal Hearts fan, get behind the lad, and hope that he does?

🤡

Never said he was not a prospect, of course you being a super scout will have seen him play lots of times, unlike me, not.

JA has changed the way the club operates and he in my opinion would not feature as things stand next season.

[Chillidigits]

8 hours ago, Penrices left boot said:

 

With Europe and extended cup runs Halketts fitness will always be a concern, his chronic back issue won't get better with a heavier workload and age.

 

Tbh, every player is upgradeable with JTA, I doubt one player will be here in 3/ 4 seasons.

 

Gonna be big turnover each year, not to mention if we do actually win the league, probably puts us way ahead in terms of plans.

The big turnover each year bothers me a bit. We could easily end up with good players  but a squad that doesn't gel as a team , at least not immediately by which case the seasons half over before we get our act together. I can see a pattern  emerging where we are only good every second season with the ones in between needed for rebuilding/regrouping etc.

[Penrices left boot]

1 hour ago, Chillidigits said:

The big turnover each year bothers me a bit. We could easily end up with good players  but a squad that doesn't gel as a team , at least not immediately by which case the seasons half over before we get our act together. I can see a pattern  emerging where we are only good every second season with the ones in between needed for rebuilding/regrouping etc.

 

I can't see that pattern at all, we put our best league finishes since the 60's together and now with have JTA which looking at their other clubs is just not what happens.

McInnes is also a tremendously consistent manager.

 

[Malinga the Swinga]

7 hours ago, Sub4TiddlerMurray said:

Here’s an idea, with 6 games to go for our players to make history and to become legends, why don’t we discuss on an open forum how they need replaced with better players next season? That will inspire them surely?! 
 

Wake up and smell the coffee people. Stop indulging your fantasies or sharing your negativity.

 

Get behind every single player 100% (not 40%, 60% or 80% but 100%!!) until the potential to win the league is over.

Are you expecting common sense in here? You should know by now the experts on here write players off after one poor pass never mind what they've done over a season.

I'm happy to leave the decision making to those who run the club and not the wanna be playstation managers on here.