Heart Of Midlothian summer transfer window 2026 - Josh McPake signed

[Chillidigits]

18 hours ago, The Maroon Jacket said:

Ageu will be like a new signing 

At BUPA.

[OTT]

I know the Leon King rumours got squashed pretty quick, but I'd love us to get him in. Apparently CB isn't even his best position, its as a 6(?) 

 

Keeping an eye on any quality Scottish talent we can get in, is surely going to be something we'll need to do and there are maybe some parallels between him & Ross McCrorie who McInnes took to Aberdeen. The Old Firm probably have the cream of the crop of youngsters, but like so many before him, he's not had the opportunities to shine because Rangers & Celtic are too busy signing duds for millions. 

 

Draw back is apparently he's on stupid money - but the flip side of that is that he's maybe being paid above his actual value, so there would be a climb down regardless. Getting a solid couple of years playing top flight football would set him up well for a good move down south. Hope it happens. Makes sense to me!  

[Chuck Berry]

I'd say Luke Graham at Dundee is a better target if we're wanting a young CB with sell on potential.  Same age as King, but playing every week for Dundee and scored today. Helped Falkirk to last seasons Championship on loan. 

 

Has been getting watched by some English Championship clubs so we'd have competiiton, but we've been keeping tabs on him apparently.  He has a year left on his contract.

[kingantti1874]

22 hours ago, OTT said:

I know the Leon King rumours got squashed pretty quick, but I'd love us to get him in. Apparently CB isn't even his best position, its as a 6(?) 

 

Keeping an eye on any quality Scottish talent we can get in, is surely going to be something we'll need to do and there are maybe some parallels between him & Ross McCrorie who McInnes took to Aberdeen. The Old Firm probably have the cream of the crop of youngsters, but like so many before him, he's not had the opportunities to shine because Rangers & Celtic are too busy signing duds for millions. 

 

Draw back is apparently he's on stupid money - but the flip side of that is that he's maybe being paid above his actual value, so there would be a climb down regardless. Getting a solid couple of years playing top flight football would set him up well for a good move down south. Hope it happens. Makes sense to me!  

by all accounts from both rangers and ayr fans he’s been hopeless.  
 

Graham a far better prospect imo 

[cosanostra]

My mate works for Ayr. Says he's their 3rd or 2nd best centre half at a push so he's probably not what we're looking for. We apparently looked at another of their central defenders last year but it didn’t go anywhere.

[Carter]

Barney Stewart will be watched closely you'd imagine. Movement and instinct would suggest there's levels in him. 

[Threedoorsdown]

3 minutes ago, Mortimer said:

Barney Stewart will be watched closely you'd imagine. Movement and instinct would suggest there's levels in him. 

 

The impact of Braga has to be the aim for any new strikers coming in. I don't think Barney Stewart is anywhere near that level.

[Jambof3tornado]

6 hours ago, Mortimer said:

Barney Stewart will be watched closely you'd imagine. Movement and instinct would suggest there's levels in him. 

Watched their highlights and wondered if Barney is better than James Wilson and came to the conclusion that he probably isn't but he will continue to improve. Killie were hopeless too.

[Pingu]

Anyone else like the look of Jerome Prior, assuming Gordon retires? Would be be happy playing second fiddle to Schwolow? (I know it's pointless trying to guess / suggest names these days but old habits die hard!)

[Carter]

3 hours ago, Jambof3tornado said:

Watched their highlights and wondered if Barney is better than James Wilson and came to the conclusion that he probably isn't but he will continue to improve. Killie were hopeless too.

Not just yesterday's game in isolation though. He was the same against Hibs. Clearly raw but definitely has something about him. 

 

Dylan Tait has a step up on him also. Someone will be looking at Calvin Miller too. 

[Jeff]

13 hours ago, Mortimer said:

Barney Stewart will be watched closely you'd imagine. Movement and instinct would suggest there's levels in him. 

 

He was very poor at Tynecastle last week

[Carter]

9 minutes ago, Jeff said:

 

He was very poor at Tynecastle last week

I'm not suggesting he's a world beater by any means. He was up against the best CB in the league last week.

 

Given the level he's come from he looks as if he knows where the goal is. Excellent piece of scouting from John McGlynn. 

[JamboGee92]

11 hours ago, Pingu said:

Anyone else like the look of Jerome Prior, assuming Gordon retires? Would be be happy playing second fiddle to Schwolow? (I know it's pointless trying to guess / suggest names these days but old habits die hard!)

 

Yeah. I've been impressed every time I've seen him.

[Jingle Bells]

23 hours ago, Mortimer said:

Barney Stewart will be watched closely you'd imagine. Movement and instinct would suggest there's levels in him. 

 

I think he has potential too

Edited March 2 by Jingle Bells

[wcjambo]

100% should be after Barney Stewart. Young, Scottish and knows where the goal is. Could do with some work to his link up but he still has time to learn that.

[kingantti1874]

5 minutes ago, wcjambo said:

100% should be after Barney Stewart. Young, Scottish and knows where the goal is. Could do with some work to his link up but he still has time to learn that.

out level will be well beyond Barney Stewart after this summer. 

[wcjambo]

4 minutes ago, kingantti1874 said:

out level will be well beyond Barney Stewart after this summer. 

i do agree but he's still young, think he's the perfect profile to come on late amd disturb games and will only get better

 

 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

On 01/03/2026 at 08:01, Pingu said:

Anyone else like the look of Jerome Prior, assuming Gordon retires? Would be be happy playing second fiddle to Schwolow? (I know it's pointless trying to guess / suggest names these days but old habits die hard!)

No, apparently had a poor season, they mentioned during Rangers game, he would be happy to get a decent performance in

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Barney Stewart is probably still very raw, I see the young Shankland in there, a lot of coaching left in there, he has the predatory instincts, someone I would take a chance on myself

[gwd1957]

2 minutes ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

No, apparently had a poor season, they mentioned during Rangers game, he would be happy to get a decent performance in

Stone and Mcfarlane both doing well on loan .

[Farmer1]

Just now, gwd1957 said:

Stone and Mcfarlane both doing well on loan .

Harry stone will be leaving this summer, out of contract and I suspect mcfarlane will be ahead of him 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

3 minutes ago, gwd1957 said:

Stone and Mcfarlane both doing well on loan .

 

1 minute ago, Farmer1 said:

Harry stone will be leaving this summer, out of contract and I suspect mcfarlane will be ahead of him 

Not based on much, McFarlane looks more substantial. 

[kingantti1874]

7 minutes ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

 

Not based on much, McFarlane looks more substantial. 

I agree.  Looks like he’s a step ahead

[johnking123]

Wonder if will loan McFarlane out to a Championship or Premiership team, next season. Maybe needs that step up again, before being our No1

[wcjambo]

16 minutes ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

Barney Stewart is probably still very raw, I see the young Shankland in there, a lot of coaching left in there, he has the predatory instincts, someone I would take a chance on myself

Absolutely, has that trait of is he's in the box and gets the ball it's going towards the goal. Look at his goal vs Killie on the weekend, Coll Donaldson smacked it at him n he's glanced the header perfectly. Definitely worth a punt based on his physical and finishing abilities alone 

 

[Pasquale for King]

On 01/03/2026 at 00:48, Mortimer said:

Barney Stewart will be watched closely you'd imagine. Movement and instinct would suggest there's levels in him. 

Hearts supporter too

[Madjambo21]

30 minutes ago, Lord Beni of Gorgie said:

 

Not based on much, McFarlane looks more substantial. 

I play 7s with a guy that works for Alloa and a another supporter of Alloa and they rave about McFarlane.

Makes tremendous saves but they both comment on his mentality and how he stays the same after a big save or a mistake.

 

Really think he could be our keeper in a few seasons

Edited March 2 by Madjambo21

[wcjambo]

17 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

Hearts supporter too

Doubt it, he's english 

 

[XB52]

2 minutes ago, wcjambo said:

Doubt it, he's english 

 

So is Clum,pretty sure he would say he was a Hearts supporter

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

23 minutes ago, wcjambo said:

Absolutely, has that trait of is he's in the box and gets the ball it's going towards the goal. Look at his goal vs Killie on the weekend, Coll Donaldson smacked it at him n he's glanced the header perfectly. Definitely worth a punt based on his physical and finishing abilities alone 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Madjambo21 said:

I play 7s with a guy that works for Alloa and a another supporter of Alloa and they rave about McFarlane.

Makes tremendous saves but they both comment on his mentality and how he stays the same after a big save or a mistake.

 

Really think he could be our keeper in a few seasons

[soonbe110]

1 hour ago, wcjambo said:

100% should be after Barney Stewart. Young, Scottish and knows where the goal is. Could do with some work to his link up but he still has time to learn that.

That would be a major step backwards.  We are potentially looking for players to play CL or EL football next season.  A guy who was playing for Herriot-Watt 18 months ago doesn’t fit the bill. 

[Pasquale for King]

Just now, wcjambo said:

Doubt it, he's english 

 

I was told that yesterday by someone who knows him from his amateur days at Heriot Watt, will ask his old teammate who I work with. 
Thats possibly where the connection came from, or the fact his dad is from here and therefore Barney qualifies and has played for Scotland U21s.

[soonbe110]

8 minutes ago, Madjambo21 said:

I play 7s with a guy that works for Alloa and a another supporter of Alloa and they rave about McFarlane.

Makes tremendous saves but they both comment on his mentality and how he stays the same after a big save or a mistake.

 

Really think he could be our keeper in a few seasons

Think he will be number 1 or number 2 next season. 

[Pasquale for King]

I think if we sell Braga, Kabangu and Wilson we will need a top quality guy and at least one who has scored goals at this level, with hopefully possibly well over a dozen more games to play. 

[Pasquale for King]

3 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

That would be a major step backwards.  We are potentially looking for players to play CL or EL football next season.  A guy who was playing for Herriot-Watt 18 months ago doesn’t fit the bill. 

 

1 minute ago, soonbe110 said:

Think he will be number 1 or number 2 next season. 

These two statements within seconds of each other are wildly contradictory 🤪?!?!

[soonbe110]

Just now, Pasquale for King said:

 

These two statements within seconds of each other are wildly contradictory 🤪?!?!

Not really.  Keeper is a specialist position and McFarlane has been in pro football for a lot longer than Stewart.  Has been developed year by year, highly rated by McInnes and staff, next season he is either on loan at Premiership or top Champ team or he is in our matchday squad, assuming Gordon retires.   For all we know this is a just a flash in the pan season for Stewart and could be as good as it gets for him.  He wasn’t even deemed good enough for Falkirk for the first half of this season.   He has only scored in two games for Falkirk since Jan 1. Three against Hibs and two against Killie and that’s it.  Was pretty anonymous against us both times. Talk about folk getting carried away based on a few weeks performances🤷‍♂️

[Pasquale for King]

20 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

Not really.  Keeper is a specialist position and McFarlane has been in pro football for a lot longer than Stewart.  Has been developed year by year, highly rated by McInnes and staff, next season he is either on loan at Premiership or top Champ team or he is in our matchday squad, assuming Gordon retires.   For all we know this is a just a flash in the pan season for Stewart and could be as good as it gets for him.  He wasn’t even deemed good enough for Falkirk for the first half of this season.   He has only scored in two games for Falkirk since Jan 1. Three against Hibs and two against Killie and that’s it.  Was pretty anonymous against us both times. Talk about folk getting carried away based on a few weeks performances🤷‍♂️

But you still think someone playing at a much lower level could be our number 1 next season in the CL or EL.
Once again you criticise the level Stewart has played at or his experience, he’s now scoring goals in the top league, started at QPR.  A few weeks performances are more than Liam. 
They’re the same age, played the same number of U21 games for Scotland.  
Theres no chance that McFarlane will be our number 1 next season, no way we are ever likely to play a young gk moving forward, if he ever plays just one game for us get back to me. 

Edited March 2 by Pasquale for King
Spelling

[johnking123]

30 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

I think if we sell Braga, Kabangu and Wilson we will need a top quality guy and at least one who has scored goals at this level, with hopefully possibly well over a dozen more games to play. 

Add Kyziridis to that list. Rake in around 15 million for that lot. See us smash our transfer record on new stiker. Or could have a freebie lined up. Who would normally be out our range.

[hmfc_liam06]

48 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

That would be a major step backwards.  We are potentially looking for players to play CL or EL football next season.  A guy who was playing for Herriot-Watt 18 months ago doesn’t fit the bill. 

We just signed a RB who was playing amateur 12 months ago.

 

I think Stewart very much fits a JTA bill.

[hmfc_liam06]

57 minutes ago, Madjambo21 said:

I play 7s with a guy that works for Alloa and a another supporter of Alloa and they rave about McFarlane.

Makes tremendous saves but they both comment on his mentality and how he stays the same after a big save or a mistake.

 

Really think he could be our keeper in a few seasons

Yeah he’s an extremely level headed, laid back guy.

[PortyJambo]

58 minutes ago, wcjambo said:

Doubt it, he's english 

 

Parents are Scottish, and his dad is from Edinburgh, so still a good chance he's a Hearts fan. 

[Carter]

1 hour ago, soonbe110 said:

That would be a major step backwards.  We are potentially looking for players to play CL or EL football next season.  A guy who was playing for Herriot-Watt 18 months ago doesn’t fit the bill. 

We'll source players from even more obscure backgrounds than his going forward. 

[johnking123]

You can't rule out us going players like Stewart. We could very well sign him, then loan him out again. We will carry big squads and will have players out on loan all the time.

[soonbe110]

2 hours ago, Pasquale for King said:

But you still think someone playing at a much lower level could be our number 1 next season in the CL or EL.
Once again you criticise the level Stewart has played at or his experience, he’s now scoring goals in the top league, started at QPR.  A few weeks performances are more than Liam. 
They’re the same age, played the same number of U21 games for Scotland.  
Theres no chance that McFarlane will be our number 1 next season, no way we are ever likely to play a young gk moving forward, if he ever plays just one game for us get back to me. 

All your opinion, nothing to substantiate it, which is perfectly fine    What fan forums are all about     I just disagree with you  

[Diehardjambo1]

We just let Wilson go who in my opinion has more levels than Barney Stewart. Seems odd to let him go and then sign someone like him. 

[soonbe110]

1 hour ago, hmfc_liam06 said:

We just signed a RB who was playing amateur 12 months ago.

 

I think Stewart very much fits a JTA bill.

Yes, let’s see if he makes it    Altena had lots of clubs showing interest   Doubt Stewart did in January  

[Pasquale for King]

2 hours ago, johnking123 said:

Add Kyziridis to that list. Rake in around 15 million for that lot. See us smash our transfer record on new stiker. Or could have a freebie lined up. Who would normally be out our range.

Absolutely 

[Batistuta9]

27 minutes ago, Diehardjambo1 said:

We just let Wilson go who in my opinion has more levels than Barney Stewart. Seems odd to let him go and then sign someone like him. 

Barney Stewart is currently better than James Wilson IMO - but its difficult to say what James Wislon will be like when he's 21, and whose ceiling is higher. I don't think Wislon will get the opportunities he'll need here, and genuinely (and unfortunately) think it will be better for his career to move on. We'll be getting a couple of million for Wilson if Spurs want to keep him, so if Stewart is a JTA pass then personally I would rather get that sort of money for Wilson now and just repeat the process with Stewart, use some of the money to buy him, and hopefully sell him on for a good sum later down the line too. A massive compliment to the lad is that he reminds me of Shankland. Seems to have that natural instinct for goal. "You can't teach that" as they say.

 

Edited March 2 by Batistuta9

[Mikey1874]

28 minutes ago, Diehardjambo1 said:

We just let Wilson go who in my opinion has more levels than Barney Stewart. Seems odd to let him go and then sign someone like him. 

 

The 'we let players go' argument doesn't factor in an approach where the club is open to and respects what the player wants to do.

 

Seems this is part of our current transfer approach. 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

3 hours ago, soonbe110 said:

That would be a major step backwards.  We are potentially looking for players to play CL or EL football next season.  A guy who was playing for Herriot-Watt 18 months ago doesn’t fit the bill. 

We are also going to play weekend games, McPake may not play European games either