Heart Of Midlothian summer transfer window 2026 - Josh McPake signed

[Gordons left glove]

2 hours ago, gwd1957 said:

Rangers are after Watt .

And Graham 

[GavK1012]

4 hours ago, Ribble said:

IF Kizi does want to leave this summer then I really hope he nabs a call up for the Greek national team's 2 friendlies at the end of March, will add a significant amount to any transfer fee

Zero chance of that happening IMHO ... 

[soonbe110]

5 hours ago, Ribble said:

IF Kizi does want to leave this summer then I really hope he nabs a call up for the Greek national team's 2 friendlies at the end of March, will add a significant amount to any transfer fee

Unlikely as he is barely justifying a starting place for us atm.   Recently been poor compared to earlier in season.  Hasn’t really performed since becoming a father - could be a factor. 

[Ribble]

50 minutes ago, GavK1012 said:

Zero chance of that happening IMHO ... 

 

They only have a mid 30’s left winger as back up to first choice, could take a chance on Kizi or a n other in these 2 friendlies to check out fresh blood in the squad before the autumn qualifiers

[Agentjambo]

We need lots out in summer and a few in. Won’t be a massive overhaul.
Not sure on starting 11 but shouldn’t change massively unless we end up selling a few.

[GinRummy]

7 minutes ago, Agentjambo said:

We need lots out in summer and a few in. Won’t be a massive overhaul.
Not sure on starting 11 but shouldn’t change massively unless we end up selling a few.

Do you reckon. I think there’ll be loads of ins and outs this summer. Probably will be a big overhaul. 

[Agentjambo]

15 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

Do you reckon. I think there’ll be loads of ins and outs this summer. Probably will be a big overhaul. 

We have a good team,bringing in a load of new players won’t happen.The board will think we’re going to challenge again with this team next season again.4 or 5 incomings at the most….no way another 9/10 new signings.

[OTT]

4 hours ago, gwd1957 said:

Rangers are after Watt .

 

I'm really not sure if that will be a successful move. 

 

Askou has undoubtedly improved every player in that team tenfold, but once he moves on (and I do not see him staying at Motherwell), the question becomes if they can sustain the levels they're currently at. The likes of O'Donnell & McGinn for example are proven huddies, yet playing in the form of their lives. 

 

Taking Watt out of that environment with a totally different coach could yield totally different results. The expectations at Rangers are also miles away from at Motherwell. 

 

It will be interesting to see how it pans out for him, if he does move there. 

 

Seen a few comments online about Askou potentially getting the Celtic job, it wouldn't surprise me if Watt was to end up there, which might be a less risky move for him. 

[LSC]

Kizi has been abandoned to face 2 on him every single game I’m surprised the posters on here can type from a straight jacket , honestly the guy is farting against thunder he gets doubled up on every single time this place is farcical at times 🤦 try having a threat on the opposite wing then attack him ffs 

[OTT]

2 hours ago, Gordons left glove said:

And Graham 

 

Rangers really are hoovering up any Scottish talent they can get their hands on. 

 

Leon King seems a very good player though, Can't imagine he's best pleased to see this. Wouldn't mind us going for him, although doubt they'll do any business with us now!  Maybe can pull a reverse Webster on them  

[OTT]

4 minutes ago, LSC said:

Kizi has been abandoned to face 2 on him every single game I’m surprised the posters on here can type from a straight jacket , honestly the guy is farting against thunder he gets doubled up on every single time this place is farcical at times 🤦 try having a threat on the opposite wing then attack him ffs 

 

I think going so long without a RM has allowed managers to really build their defensive game around stopping him at all costs. 

 

I do think he needs to utilise Milne more though, he's choking on a pass a lot of the time to run through and put a cross in, but Kyzi too often opts to go it alone and gets crowded out. 

 

Its a huge attribute to his game, and I don't want him to lose that because its what makes him such a special player, but the whole teamwork aspect of his game could do with improvement IMO. 

[fila]

2 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

I think going so long without a RM has allowed managers to really build their defensive game around stopping him at all costs. 

 

I do think he needs to utilise Milne more though, he's choking on a pass a lot of the time to run through and put a cross in, but Kyzi too often opts to go it alone and gets crowded out. 

 

Its a huge attribute to his game, and I don't want him to lose that because its what makes him such a special player, but the whole teamwork aspect of his game could do with improvement IMO. 

With Cheney now looking like starting the h games you would like to think that this will help Kyzie. He has dropped of recently however we seem solely to rely on him producing the magic!! 

[Masonic]

32 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

Do you reckon. I think there’ll be loads of ins and outs this summer. Probably will be a big overhaul. 

 

Will be a massive overhaul including sales and transfers in too.

 

somewhere in the region of 15 outs

[GinRummy]

1 minute ago, Masonic said:

 

Will be a massive overhaul including sales and transfers in too.

 

somewhere in the region of 15 outs

 

Yeah, I think there’ll be a lot of changes. 

[LSC]

13 minutes ago, fila said:

With Cheney now looking like starting the h games you would like to think that this will help Kyzie. He has dropped of recently however we seem solely to rely on him producing the magic!! 

This is what I’m trying to say until a threat as potent as a kizi on the other side is available he’ll struggle. The new signings at the minute don’t look like him  at all remember he walked into the team and was different class from day one I feel he’s getting hung out to dry and no I’ve not got a kizi pillow I sleep on every night  just get him someone to take the heat off ( ,.;’ that’s for Morgan to put in he’s a stickler for punctuation) 

[Dido of Consequence]

20 minutes ago, LSC said:

This is what I’m trying to say until a threat as potent as a kizi on the other side is available he’ll struggle. The new signings at the minute don’t look like him  at all remember he walked into the team and was different class from day one I feel he’s getting hung out to dry and no I’ve not got a kizi pillow I sleep on every night  just get him someone to take the heat off ( ,.;’ that’s for Morgan to put in he’s a stickler for punctuation) 

Kyziridis didn't even start the 1st 4 league games of the season, mate. 

 

His first start was the game against rangers at Ibrox.

 

[Henroddy]

On 17/02/2026 at 16:51, BigCGilmour said:

we need better CHs imo

Abd right backs? Alternatively? Is he more of a midfielder than a defender? Doesn't seem much of the latter (so far). Borch? A guy with his background can't get a start ahead of McEntee or Steinwender? (I know hes apparently been injured).

Left back. Kingsley is back up. Think he will move and replacement brought in.

All guesswork 🤷

[OTT]

Its going to be a really interesting summer. I don't see us going for any domestic talent unless they're on free transfers. 

 

Seem to run into a bit of brick wall when teams think they've got the second coming of Messi when another side in the league decides to take an interest in their players. Don't think there is enough value for money here. 

 

I think Watson from Killie and Stanway from Partick could be interesting players to look at, but I'm excited about what Jamestown churn up, seeing players like Braga or Kyzi come from little known clubs and hit the ground running in the way they have is amazing to see. 

[jamboinglasgow]

14 minutes ago, Dido of Consequence said:

Kyziridis didn't even start the 1st 4 league games of the season, mate. 

 

His first start was the game against rangers at Ibrox.

 

 

I do think its something people forget when talking about the January signings (and Ageu) that Braga and Kyzi took time with league games before they hit their stride and that was after having a full pre-season and a run of League cup fixtures. 

 

I do think as with others, once Chesnokov gets up to speed then you will see Kyzi getting the space and taking advantage of that. The lack of that attacking threat on the right has caused problems, like what happened with Barrie McKay in his first two seasons where he was our only creative outlet so better teams doubled up on him.

[escobri]

1 hour ago, LSC said:

Kizi has been abandoned to face 2 on him every single game I’m surprised the posters on here can type from a straight jacket , honestly the guy is farting against thunder he gets doubled up on every single time this place is farcical at times 🤦 try having a threat on the opposite wing then attack him ffs 

Hopefully the addition of Chesnokov on the right frees up room for Kizy. How we are where we are is baffling considering the right hand side of our team thus far.

[LSC]

35 minutes ago, Dido of Consequence said:

Kyziridis didn't even start the 1st 4 league games of the season, mate. 

 

His first start was the game against rangers at Ibrox.

 

Was it fitness not up to speed for the Scottish game blah blah blah he was great from game 1 MATE 

[Carter]

1 hour ago, LSC said:

Kizi has been abandoned to face 2 on him every single game I’m surprised the posters on here can type from a straight jacket , honestly the guy is farting against thunder he gets doubled up on every single time this place is farcical at times 🤦 try having a threat on the opposite wing then attack him ffs 

There's unquestionably been a heavy burden placed upon Kyziridis and Milne this season to date. More often than not they've stepped up. What we've achieved with a fairly lopsided side is quite remarkable. Kyziridis is definitely not in the form he was earlier in the campaign but that's surely not unexpected. Imo there have been very few more impactful players in the Hearts squad this season than him. 

[Leothecat1]

I think in the summer we’ll sign:

 

-Goalie (project who’ll be back up to Schowlow and be number one following year).

-A starting centre back.

-A project left back.

-Starting centre midfielder

-2x strikers.

-Maybe a wide player.

 

I think the majority of the following will be away:

 

Kent, Forrest, Wilson, Kabangu, Spittal, Borch, Beni or Devlin (one stay, one go IMO), possibly Kingsley.

 

I also think Jamestown may ‘flip’ a few quickly potentially the likes of Steinwender, Kerjota, Kabore.

[Russ1977]

9 hours ago, fila said:

With Cheney now looking like starting the h games you would like to think that this will help Kyzie. He has dropped of recently however we seem solely to rely on him producing the magic!! 

As it stands Chesnokov hasn’t shown anything in an attacking sense that would make teams change much when playing against us. He was dropped in for 2 very hard games so it’s understandable he’s not shown up spectacularly going forward but we could do with that changing asap. 

[Jambof3tornado]

10 hours ago, Agentjambo said:

We have a good team,bringing in a load of new players won’t happen.The board will think we’re going to challenge again with this team next season again.4 or 5 incomings at the most….no way another 9/10 new signings.

We'll bring in at least 9 players. Deadwood and many out of contracts move on,a few sold etc.

 

We wont cope with europe and a league challenge without a shake up.

[Penrices left boot]

9 hours ago, LSC said:

This is what I’m trying to say until a threat as potent as a kizi on the other side is available he’ll struggle. The new signings at the minute don’t look like him  at all remember he walked into the team and was different class from day one I feel he’s getting hung out to dry and no I’ve not got a kizi pillow I sleep on every night  just get him someone to take the heat off ( ,.;’ that’s for Morgan to put in he’s a stickler for punctuation) 

 

Agreed, but for me he has to go back to taking  the  defender on the outside again, he started doing this and although it may not have worked, it made the defender adapt and gave him more opportunities later to go inside, when he only goes inside it becomes to easy too defend.

 

Evwery 1/3 or 4 attacks he should go outside imo, even if it's just setting up his preferred cut inside later.

 

 

[johnking123]

20 minutes ago, Jambof3tornado said:

We'll bring in at least 9 players. Deadwood and many out of contracts move on,a few sold etc.

 

We wont cope with europe and a league challenge without a shake up.

Yes, will be a high turnover of players. We will be looking at getting core players too. Ones that we know won't move on. Expect 2 or 3 core. 3 or 4 sellable the next year and few prospect types after that.

[indianajones]

Will be a lot of outgoings. 

 

Forrest 

Forrester 

Kent

Beni *

Cammy *

Wilson 

Kabangu 

Braga*

Kyzi *

Steinwender *

Spittal 

Calem N

Kartum

Gordon

Borch

 

Would be my bet. 

 

* are players I'd be upset to lose. Everyone else has best wishes with no hard feelings. 

 

[Ian Black 8]

Its gonna be a huge summer , a lot of outgoings and more incomings , club already planning now 

[boag1874]

21 hours ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

To be fair, I think we are expecting him to be off in the summer as we have signed two left wingers for next season already (Mato and McPake.)

Exactly. I think we all knew as soon as about October that Kyzi wouldn't be here more than a season! Hopefully he'll get back on top form when it matters most & push any potential fee up a bit higher.

[Babertonhearts]

12 hours ago, soonbe110 said:

Unlikely as he is barely justifying a starting place for us atm.   Recently been poor compared to earlier in season.  Hasn’t really performed since becoming a father - could be a factor. 

Rubbish.

[Batistuta9]

18 hours ago, Ribble said:

IF Kizi does want to leave this summer then I really hope he nabs a call up for the Greek national team's 2 friendlies at the end of March, will add a significant amount to any transfer fee

 

He's probably not far off to be fair. Greece don't have a plethora of strong wingers at their disposal really. They've got Tsolis at Brugge and that wee teenager that ripped Scotland to shreds but other than that...? 

 

If we're talking transfer fees, international call-up or not, he's a £5M player all day long for me. 

 

Edited February 20 by Batistuta9

[fritz59]

20 minutes ago, Batistuta9 said:

I don't buy that he's not keen on the weather. We got him from Slovenia ffs

Slovakia - still better weather than Scotland tho'

[Ribble]

21 minutes ago, Batistuta9 said:

 

He's probably not far off to be fair. Greece don't have a plethora of strong wingers at their disposal really. They've got Tsolis at Brugge and that wee teenager that ripped Scotland to shreds but other than that...? 

 

If we're talking transfer fees, international call-up or not, he's a £5M player all day long for me. 

 

 

yeah that was my thinking, Tzolis first choice left winger with 32yr old Masouras as back up who seems to be very much on the decline and now plying his trade in the Saudi league, with no world cup for them I wouldn't be surprised to see their manager taking a look at several new faces in the march friendlies with a view to freshening up the squad for the Autumn qualifiers, whether that means a place for Kizi is another thing but going by Transfermarkt he is the 2nd highest rated Greek left winger at the moment

[Portable Badger]

4 hours ago, Leothecat1 said:

I think in the summer we’ll sign:

 

-Goalie (project who’ll be back up to Schowlow and be number one following year).

-A starting centre back.

-A project left back.

-Starting centre midfielder

-2x strikers.

-Maybe a wide player.

 

I think the majority of the following will be away:

 

Kent, Forrest, Wilson, Kabangu, Spittal, Borch, Beni or Devlin (one stay, one go IMO), possibly Kingsley.

 

I also think Jamestown may ‘flip’ a few quickly potentially the likes of Steinwender, Kerjota, Kabore.

Agree mainly with your “outs” - if we can shift some of them (some OOC and some 2yrs left).

 

Think someone may try for Milne - I know he’s 29 but some club may be tempted to offer him a 2-3 yr deal.

 

Kerjota I’ve always thought was a semi-project. He signed for 4yrs (iirc) so a year or two developing and then take over from Chesnokov when he’s sold.

[Takeshi kovac]

I hope we are keeping an eye on Congreve at Dundee. Has looked really dangerous every time I've watched him. Not sure how much his parent club would want though 

[siegementality]

11 hours ago, LSC said:

Was it fitness not up to speed for the Scottish game blah blah blah he was great from game 1 MATE 

Kizi has blown hot and cold. He has been blowing cold for several weeks. Whether he is being doubled up on or not his decision making has been poor. He is far too predictable, which makes nullifying him easy. He is definitely one we need to flip and upgrade on for next season.

[jamboinglasgow]

6 hours ago, Leothecat1 said:

I think in the summer we’ll sign:

 

-Goalie (project who’ll be back up to Schowlow and be number one following year).

-A starting centre back.

-A project left back.

-Starting centre midfielder

-2x strikers.

-Maybe a wide player.

 

I think the majority of the following will be away:

 

Kent, Forrest, Wilson, Kabangu, Spittal, Borch, Beni or Devlin (one stay, one go IMO), possibly Kingsley.

 

I also think Jamestown may ‘flip’ a few quickly potentially the likes of Steinwender, Kerjota, Kabore.

 

Though I dont like the use of the word of "project" for players as I often find it quite a dismissive one, I was thinking that a left back would be worth signing in the summer who will start off as back up as they bed in but is then expected to push Milne.

 

I think anyone thinking there wont be much movement in the summer in and out, is missing what Jamestown does. The summer is the big window to do so much change and we are already likely to see nearly all of the out of contract players either leave or retire (after Craig Gordon talked about only committing to play for another year after Clarke basically asked him to so he could get to the World Cup, I think he will finally hang up his boots with World cup appearances and hopefully a league win.)

 

I also think while people expect Braga and Kzyi to be sold, I could see a couple of others getting good offers as well.

 

One bold guess I will make is that we pay over £5m in transfer fees in the summer yet finish the window have got almost double what we have paid out.

 

No one really knows what will happen in the summer, but I do think it will be another interesting window.

Edited February 20 by jamboinglasgow

[SIWYPod]

4-3-3 next season, lets have a stab at it -
New GK - Milne new CB Halkett Altena -  Ageu Magnusson Devlin - Mato Shankland Chesnokov 

 

I reckon Schwolow becomes the backup to a new keeper - one around the 26-27 age range who can keep the gloves a few years 
Milne will attract interest, but I've a feeling we'll hang on to him with the carrot of European football (at least that's what I hope happens anyway) 
Findlay benched - love the guy but an upgrade could be found (could say the same for Halkett next to him, but kept Halkett in due to his experience) 
Midfield 3 picked has some balance about them, however could see an out and out defensive midfielder in to take the Devlin role and allow Ageu/Magnusson to roam
Forward line selects itself based of who will llkely be with us next season as of right now

 

Obviously this is all just in my opinion, reckon the club will be very busy over the summer window and looking forward to seeing how it pans out. 

 

[tcjambo]

Just now, SIWYPod said:

4-3-3 next season, lets have a stab at it -
New GK - Milne new CB Halkett Altena -  Ageu Magnusson Devlin - Mato Shankland Chesnokov 

 

I reckon Schwolow becomes the backup to a new keeper - one around the 26-27 age range who can keep the gloves a few years 
Milne will attract interest, but I've a feeling we'll hang on to him with the carrot of European football (at least that's what I hope happens anyway) 
Findlay benched - love the guy but an upgrade could be found (could say the same for Halkett next to him, but kept Halkett in due to his experience) 
Midfield 3 picked has some balance about them, however could see an out and out defensive midfielder in to take the Devlin role and allow Ageu/Magnusson to roam
Forward line selects itself based of who will llkely be with us next season as of right now

 

Obviously this is all just in my opinion, reckon the club will be very busy over the summer window and looking forward to seeing how it pans out. 

 

Schwolow is fine as first choice. 

[SIWYPod]

Just now, tcjambo said:

Schwolow is fine as first choice. 

I don't disagree, but the reality is (and I should have put this at the end of my post above) with JTA an upgrade can be found for every position we play.  If they identify a keeper who they believe could be/is better than Schwolow they'll be brought in (providing McInnes wants a keeper obviously - which again I don't think he'd turn his nose up at if it meant improvement in that area). 

[Agentjambo]

21 minutes ago, SIWYPod said:

4-3-3 next season, lets have a stab at it -
New GK - Milne new CB Halkett Altena -  Ageu Magnusson Devlin - Mato Shankland Chesnokov 

 

I reckon Schwolow becomes the backup to a new keeper - one around the 26-27 age range who can keep the gloves a few years 
Milne will attract interest, but I've a feeling we'll hang on to him with the carrot of European football (at least that's what I hope happens anyway) 
Findlay benched - love the guy but an upgrade could be found (could say the same for Halkett next to him, but kept Halkett in due to his experience) 
Midfield 3 picked has some balance about them, however could see an out and out defensive midfielder in to take the Devlin role and allow Ageu/Magnusson to roam
Forward line selects itself based of who will llkely be with us next season as of right now

 

Obviously this is all just in my opinion, reckon the club will be very busy over the summer window and looking forward to seeing how it pans out. 

 

So not 10 new incoming then as some think?

[Robbo51]

I don’t know how many times McInnes has said he wants to play 4-4-2 and people still persist on predicting 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations 🤦‍♂️

[kingantti1874]

3 minutes ago, Robbo51 said:

I don’t know how many times McInnes has said he wants to play 4-4-2 and people still persist on predicting 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations 🤦‍♂️

Just becuase he wants to play it doesn’t mean we will play it with the players available.  Second half last week we played 3-5-2

[SIWYPod]

8 minutes ago, Robbo51 said:

I don’t know how many times McInnes has said he wants to play 4-4-2 and people still persist on predicting 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations 🤦‍♂️

Entirely fair comment, however with those names I put up in a 433 it could easily be a 442 with some tweaks. Having versatile players helps for a start.  

[GinRummy]

10 minutes ago, Robbo51 said:

I don’t know how many times McInnes has said he wants to play 4-4-2 and people still persist on predicting 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations 🤦‍♂️

He currently doesn’t have the players for 4-4-2 imo.  

[David McCaig]

1 minute ago, GinRummy said:

He currently doesn’t have the players for 4-4-2 imo.  

As positive as 442 is, its easy for it to turn into a 424 against sides who just lump the ball over the top.  My personal preference is for a 433/451 although Ageu is probably going to be the key to making this work.

[Ribble]

7 minutes ago, Agentjambo said:

So not 10 new incoming then as some think?

 

As things stand we have 30 signed players for next season, if Beni or Devlin sign a new contract we will be at 31/32

 

Likely Outgoings - Clark, Borchgrevink, Nieuwenhof, Spittal, Dhanda, Tait (loan), Kartum, Pollock (loan), Wilson, Kabangu 

 

Thats 10 leaving before we even consider any bids for players we want to keep like Kizi or Braga so yes folk are right to think we may see 10 new players come in, some might be starters but we may well see more squad players that will develop into starters.

[Agentjambo]

3 minutes ago, Ribble said:

 

As things stand we have 30 signed players for next season, if Beni or Devlin sign a new contract we will be at 31/32

 

Likely Outgoings - Clark, Borchgrevink, Nieuwenhof, Spittal, Dhanda, Tait (loan), Kartum, Pollock (loan), Wilson, Kabangu 

 

Thats 10 leaving before we even consider any bids for players we want to keep like Kizi or Braga so yes folk are right to think we may see 10 new players come in, some might be starters but we may well see more squad players that will develop into starters.

We are trying to reduce squad numbers,if we loose 10 we aren’t replacing them with another 10.

[SIWYPod]

I just think currently a 433 is our best chance to see Altena actually play and develop at right back (an area we need a resolution to asap)
He seems tidy on the ball and can drift in to midfield, which in a 433 shape he has the freedom to do as there is space he can move into

 

Imo a 442 requires more positional discipline as each player (again in theory) doesn't have as much space to play themselves. 

In short, you need your full backs to predominantly defend and overlap the winger when going forward - Altena is good at the later but not so much the former imo. 

 

McInnes seems to like his defenders to defend first, which imo is why Altena despite being fit and available - isn't seeing the minutes from the start and comes on when a system is changed to suit his strengths. 

 

433 next season - could be the tactical improvement switch up we need... who knows, it's all guesswork at this point