Heart of Midlothian

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Scotland veteran Craig Gordon admits he thought he had missed his chance to play at a World Cup finals.

Now 43, the out-of-contract Hearts goalkeeper will be the oldest player at this summer's tournament - and the second oldest ever - having come through a series of injury setbacks throughout his long career.

"Oh, without a doubt I thought this opportunity would pass me by on more than one occasion," Gordon said.

"So to finally be here, to be part of something this big, to finally see it, it's a huge moment for any player in their career.

"And especially for me. For the many years, I've been trying to get here, to finally be here on the edge of the tournament starting properly. It's a fantastic feeling.

"It feels like it's getting real now. The first few weeks have been preparation, everything's been going really well. And now we're finally here, we're the last few days away from getting into the games for real now."

Nottingham Forest's Angus Gunn played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 4-0 win over Bolivia, while Gordon and Rangers' Liam Kelly played a half each in the previous 4-1 defeat of Curacao.

However, Gordon says head coach Steve Clarke has not dropped any hints about who will be the number one pick for the World Cup.

"There's been no indication," he insisted while stressing he feels the squad is "ready".

A key factor to that is the special bond the players have, plus the blend of experience and youth.

"I think that's been growing for the last few years," Gordon added. "The squad, both on and off the pitch, has just been getting better and better.

"And for me to see these young guys coming through really shows what the future holds for the national team. So it's great to see them coming in and know that the future is also going to be strong.

"It feels as if we're strong now, but also these guys coming in and getting a taste of it at this early age is only going to stand them in good stead for their careers and their futures and the good of the national team as a whole."

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Scottish Premiership newcomers have confirmed Paul Gallacher as their new head of goalkeeping following his Hearts exit.

Gallacher, 46, replaces Gordon Marshall, who recently left to take up the same role at Tynecastle.

Former Dundee United and St Mirren keeper Gallacher spent a decade on Hearts' coaching staff and has also worked in the Scotland youth set-up.

"I'm absolutely delighted and thoroughly looking forward to the challenge ahead," Gallacher said.

"I watched St Johnstone a couple of times last season. I thought they were fantastic and played some really exciting football.

"I've already met some of the staff behind the scenes. I could quickly see that it is a family-friendly club and everyone has made me feel very welcome."

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Tottenham remain interested in Hearts forward James Wilson, 19, but face competition from European clubs. Wilson had a spell on loan at Spurs last season. (Sun), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Cammy Devlin has stated "I absolutely love Hearts" as the Australia midfielder continues to ponder whether to extend his stay at Tynecastle.

Devlin, who was a late substitute in his country's 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final pre-World Cup friendly on Sunday, is out of contract after five years with the Scottish Premiership club.

Amid reports that Devlin has offers from clubs in Major League Soccer, the Turkish Super Lig and English Championship as well as the Edinburgh club, he described Hearts as "an amazing football club" as he celebrated his 28th birthday on Sunday after earning his first international cap in two years.

"Moving to Scotland is the best thing that has ever happened to me," he said.

"I've met my girlfriend over there, so I've got her, been living with her for a few years now and I've got her family, who make me feel so at home and then Hearts is so special.

"I love going to work every day and I've met some of my best mates who will be friends with for life at that club and the fans, they're everything to that football club."

Devlin joined Hearts from Newcastle Jets in his homeland's A-League and has gone on to make 176 appearances, becoming a stalwart of their midfield.

His injury absence from January to March coincided with Hearts letting a healthy lead slip before they were denied a first Scottish league title since 1960 on the final day by reigning champions Celtic.

"I don't know if you've ever been to the club or Edinburgh - it's such a special place to play football," Devlin, who now has five Australia caps, added.

"I think this season epitomised that in terms of what winning or staying top of the league actually meant for the people and that's why it hurts so much that we never got it done.

"Because to see what it did to people around the city was amazing and we were so close to doing something so special.

"I absolutely love Hearts. It's been so good to me, my family and everyone who's come over to see me play. I do feel the love and it's so appreciated."

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Hearts winger Alexandros Kyziridis made his debut for Greece as a 62nd-minute substitute in Sunday's 1-0 friendly defeat at home to Italy.

Out-of-contract Australia midfielder Cammy Devlin is torn over big money offers from a club in Major League Soccer, one from the Turkish Super Lig and another in the English Championship as Hearts want the 28-year-old to stay on improved terms. (Daily Record), external

Portuguese and Scottish clubs have already made proposals for 18-year-old Guinea-Bissau winger Ilief Mendes, who is currently with Chaves Under-19s, ahead of next season. (Rudy Galetti on X), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland has been backed to prove a "revelation" at Rangers.

Tony Docherty, who was Aberdeen assistant when Shankland struggled to make the breakthrough at Pittodrie as a youngster, told BBC Sportsound: "He has just continually got better and better, not just as a footballer but as a person.

"His role as Hearts captain last season was integral to their success.

"His link-up play has improved, as has his all-round confidence. I think he'll be an absolute revelation for Rangers. It's a marquee signing."

Shankland heads into the World Cup on a high after netting in both of Scotland's warm-up friendlies, nodding the opener against Bolivia on Saturday night after his double against Caracao.

Former Scotland defender and St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson believes the 30-year-old will be a "great fit" at Ibrox after making the switch from Tynecastle.

"He's just such a good finisher, he can score from anywhere as he showed at Hearts. He has improved as he's got older as well, he understands different aspects of the game," Davidson said.

"He's a great fit for Rangers as they have most of the possession in games. If the ball comes in the box, you know he'll be in the right area. Some of his finishes look really easy, but they're actually really difficult and he's the only player in Scotland who can do that.

"Hearts did really well to keep him for another year. I understand the Hearts fans' frustration over the clause in his contract but he was brilliant and gave everything to the cause.

"Now he'll be wanting to win titles for Rangers. And the big job for Hearts is to replace him. They might have to adapt their style of play, go with someone more physical up front and two pacy wingers."

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Ordabasy Shymkent and FC Tobol are expected to make offers for Hearts winger Islam Chesnokov, 26. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Forward Lawrence Shankland, 30, wanted a quick move from Hearts to Rangers so he would not be distracted while at the World Cup with Scotland. (Herald - subscription required), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Prospective Hearts signing Malachi Fagan-Walcott says his instincts as a former striker have helped to shape his game as a centre-back.

The 24-year-old is in line to become Hearts' fourth summer arrival after the club agreed a seven-figure fee with York City.

Fagan-Walcott has spent the past two years in England's National League, making 78 appearances and helping York to a dramatic promotion last term.

His 14 goals, no mean tally for defender, hints at his prowess in the opposition box and Fagan-Walcott describes his playing style as "aggressive".

"I can play both centre-half positions, left or right," the former Tottenham youth player told the BBC upon joining York.

"I'm very composed and calm on the ball, but I love the defending side of it. My first thought before any game is always defending. The ball playing will sort itself out but make sure you win your one-on-one battle with the striker.

"You win your headers, you win your tackles, you're aggressive and then after all of that, think about playing on the ball, because if we don't concede, we're more likely to get points.

"My mindset is to just defend first and play second."

Fagon-Walcott's attacking capabilities appear a good fit considering Derek McInnes' side led the way for set-piece goals in the Premiership last season.

"I used to be a striker, so I feel like it's instinct," he said. "At training in small-sided games I love shooting and try to stay as forward as possible.

"I never play at the back because it's the only time I get to go and express myself. When it comes to goals I like to get in around it, corners, wide free-kicks, every time I go up there, I think I'm going to score.

"I feel like that's just because I grew up as a striker, so I have that mentality. I love being in those situations, set-pieces, or even if I'm stepping up on the back, sometimes I think should I shoot, but I don't do it."

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Former Hearts and Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson has joined Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Peng City as head coach after having "a wonderful time" as Lommel SK assistant.

Neilson joined Lommel last summer as assistant to ex-Hibs boss Lee Johnson and the pair led the club to promotion to Belgium's top flight.

Lommel are part of the City Football Group with Shenzhen Peng City and Manchester City among others.

"I have had a wonderful time in Lommel," Neilson told the Belgian side's website.

"The club and the city gave me a very warm welcome and made me feel at home from day one and I am extremely grateful to everyone for that."

Sporting director Jeffrey van As thanked Neilson and said: "Robbie's contract was due to expire and we had been in discussions with him about an extension.

"During those talks, he made it clear that he was keen to return to a head coaching role and he was given that opportunity by Shenzhen.

"Naturally, we are disappointed to see Robbie leave, but we also understand why he wants to take this opportunity."

Neilson, 45, has also managed Tampa Bay Rowdies and MK Dons and takes over a Shenzhen Peng City side ninth in the 2026 Chinese Super League. He replaces Chen Tao, who left last month.

Neilson is reunited with his former Hearts and Dundee United coaching colleague Gordon Forrest, who is assistant at Shenzhen Peng City.

We asked for your views after Hearts signed Falkirk winger Calvin Miller on a three-year deal.

Here's what some of you said:

Fergus: Could be a great signing, or could be Yan Dhanda 2.0, he had similar stats and flopped. We might have a decent winger as well as Alexandros Kyziridis now, the rest are awful.

Richard: Good to bring in someone who knows and has been successful in this league. We have a fair selection of wide players just now... but of course that could change as the window progresses. Derek McInnes has used width to get forward quickly throughout his management career so this looks like it fits with how he's had teams play before.

Campbell: Good signing. Brings a good track record and experience to the squad.

Darren: Miller is a great signing for us. Gives us a threat on both wings now with Kyziridis on the other side. Hopefully get Barney Stewart in as well. Add a few more signings and things are looking very positive for next season.

Rab: Has the potential to be a legend, he is fast, skilful, and always looking to attack. He will be a good feeder for Claudio Braga as well as a great goal getter.

Ken: A good signing but we need a right-back and a creative midfielder desperately. We don't know about Ageu's fitness and if he will settle.

Alan: His stats over the last two seasons have been good, hopefully he can improve next season. A good addition as we will be playing more games so need a bigger squad.

Hearts' summer spending so far should exceed £1m by mid-June as they complete a series of deals. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Hearts winger Alexandros Kyziridis, 25, is still waiting to make his Greece debut after not making it off the bench in Thursday's 2-2 friendly draw with Sweden. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

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Former striker Gordon Durie is upbeat about Rangers' title chances next season after the club landed the "best finisher in Scotland" by luring Lawrence Shankland from Hearts.

"He'll be massive. It's been a long time coming, there's been a lot of rumours over the past couple of years about him joining," Durie told Sky Sports.

"He's here now and I think he's probably the best finisher in Scotland.

"He knows the Scottish game inside out and I'm sure he'll be a fantastic signing for Rangers."

Shankland is Rangers' only summer arrival so far, but Durie expects plenty more to follow as Danny Rohl reshapes the squad whose title bid imploded post-split last season with four straight defeats.

"Very optimistic [about Rangers' title chances]," said the 60-year-old ex-Ibrox and Scotland forward.

"Until the last five games they were there or thereabouts, didn't finish the season too well.

"Obviously Danny Rohl is going to have his first pre-season, bring in his own players, so it's a hugely important summer for him and the club. Hopefully he brings in a few."

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Calvin Miller admits he was "dying to make the move happen" as soon as he heard of interest from Hearts.

The winger, who moves to Tynecastle from Falkirk for an undisclosed fee, has signed a three-year deal and is eyeing silverware as he looks to continue his impressive form of last season.

"I'm buzzing, it's been in the pipeline for a while, I'm just glad that I'm finally here and got the deal all signed," Miller, 28, told Hearts TV.

"Hearts are a massive club, you've seen what they've done last season, straight away everyone wants to be a part of that.

"When I heard the interest was there, I was dying to make the move happen and they're playing in Europe this year as well, so I'd love to get myself in among that.

"Who doesn't want to play in Europe? You get a chance in the Champions League qualifiers to then go and progress and if not then it's Europa League. That's a big stage, that's where you can go and make a name for yourself and the club can go and make a name for itself. I'm dying to get started."

The 28-year-old praised Falkirk manager John McGlynn for helping to revive his career.

In his three years under McGlynn, Miller won back-to-back titles and secured a top-half Premiership finish to crown the Bairns' raise from Scotland's third tier.

Last term he scored nine goals, recorded 11 assists and claimed the player of the year awards from Falkirk supporters and his team-mates, and is hoping to build on those stats under new manager Derek McInnes.

"I'm thankful to Falkirk because they essentially got my career back on track," added Miller.

"The gaffer helped me through thick and thin, and every season was a success. I'm hoping to continue that success and that form I had at Falkirk.

"I always knew myself I could play in the top flight and it was about showing that and I think I did this season. That probably leads me to why I'm here to sign with this massive club.

"I'm quick, direct, I like to score goals and set up goals and all I care about is if I can contribute to the team.

"All the goals and assists, and even silverware, I hope to come here and try and achieve all of that as well as properly progress."

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The World Cup kicks off in a week's time and all 48 squads are locked in.

Seven Scottish top-flight clubs have players at the big show in the Americas.

Of the 1,248 players at the tournament, 21 (1.68%) plied their trade in the Premiership in season 2025-26.

Celtic have the biggest representation with eight players, while Rangers are next on seven (including Derek Cornelius, who spent the season on loan from Marseille).

Here is the full list:

Celtic – Alistair Johnston (Canada), Daizen Maeda (Japan), Benjamin Nygren (Sweden), Yang Hyun-jun (South Korea), Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston (both Scotland), Sebastian Tounekti (Tunisia), Auston Trusty (USA).

Rangers – Nicolas Raskin (Belgium), Thelo Aasgaard (Norway), Findlay Curtis, Lawrence Shankland, John Souttar, Liam Kelly (all Scotland), Derek Cornelius (Canada).

Hearts– Cammy Devlin (Australia), Craig Gordon (Scotland).

Hibs – Grant Hanley (Scotland).

Motherwell – Elijah Just (New Zealand).

Kilmarnock – Aaron Tshibola (DR Congo).

Livingston – Tete Yengi (Australia).

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Hearts have completed the signing of Falkirk winger Calvin Miller for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

Described by the Bairns as a "modern Falkirk great", Miller, 28, was instrumental in the club's rise from League 1 to top flight.

He scored 32 goals and contributed 37 assists for Falkirk in 132 games.

Former Celtic youth player Miller's nine assists last season was a Premiership high and he now bolsters Hearts for a season of European and domestic football.

Hearts fans, what do you think of Miller's signing? Can he flourish in Derek McInnes' side? Have your say here.

Falkirk fans, how big a blow is it to lose such an influential player? How might Miller be replaced? Tell us here.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Hearts have proved adept at unearthing gems from relative European obscurity, but their next signing looks set to be from much closer to home.

Falkirk winger Calvin Miller is nearing a move to Tynecastle after impressing in his first full top-flight campaign.

At 28, Miller is in the peak years of his career, but what do the stats say about why Hearts - and their Jamestown Analytics recruitment tool - have targeted the former Celtic player?

A perusal of Opta's data for the 2025-26 Premiership campaign soon flags up Miller's impactful presence in a Bairns side that finished sixth on their return to the top fight following a 15-year absence.

Creativity and end product are essentials for a winger and Miller delivers on both fronts. His 16 goal involvements was the most in the Falkirk squad and seventh highest in the Premiership overall. Only striker Barney Stewart (8) topped Miller's league goal haul of seven.

It is clear Miller is not a winger content to merely hug the touchline - he had the most touches in the opposition box of any Falkirk player and all his goals came from inside the area. While mainly deployed on the left, he can play either flank or centrally and showed a comfort using either foot, netting four with his left and three with his right.

One aspect of his game he could look to improve is in finishing accuracy. He underperformed his xG (expected goals) of 10.06 by more than three, and had a low conversion rate of 8.86% from 79 shots, 23 of which were on target.

On chance creation, Miller is a Falkirk standout. He had the most assists (nine) in the Premiership last season and also ranks first in John McGlynn's squad for chances created (60), while his 18 big chances created is three times more than any other Falkirk player as well as being second only to James Tavernier (19) in the top flight.

Miller also had the most passes into the box (250, including crosses), completed dribbles (35) and fast breaks (13) in the Falkirk squad.

A player of such talents will clearly be a major loss to the Bairns, but don't expect supporters to be up in arms at Miller's departure.

"He's been fantastic for us over the past three years since he signed. He's one of these guys that I don't think any Falkirk fan will grudge him a move up the way," said football writer and Falkirk supporter Gordon Waddell on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

He added: "Miller hit his head off a few rungs on the ladder on the way down after he left Celtic. He went down south and had to work his way back up through Harrogate and Notts County and Chesterfield and Morton.

"And even when he signed for us, we were in League 1 at the time. John McGlynn has been outstanding for him and turned him now into the player everybody always thought he might be when he was a kid."

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Hearts have "many more" signings to come this summer on top of the three already announced, sporting director Graeme Jones has revealed while predicting the club will eventually get their "fairtytale" ending.

Winger Josh McPake has signed as he leaves St Johnstone, midfielder Tom Renaud is coming from Versailles, centre-half MJ Kamson-Kamara has been purchased from Lincoln City, while winger Calvin Miller is expected to complete his move from Falkirk shortly.

"Absolutely delighted to get Josh in," Jones said on Hearts TV., external "Obviously that's been known about for some time and also MJ coming in as well - he's a real talent and prospect.

"We've got many more that we have planned and upcoming. Naturally, I'm not going to disclose the specifics on anything, but that'll be in the coming weeks.

"I would hope that fans can be excited with a number of new signings in the coming weeks."

Hearts have lost captain Lawrence Shankland after the striker triggered an option to leave for Rangers one year into a new three-year contract, while the club are still hoping to persuade key midfielder Cammy Devlin to stay.

However, Jones has targeted a squad rebuild that will be "competitive within European football" next season and win domestic silverware after missing out on the Scottish title on the final day of the campaign.

With that in mind, he hopes to appoint a new head of recruitment "in the coming month or so" after Will Lansfield moved to "a slightly bigger role" with Luton Town.

"It was a tremendous season of growth for us," Jones added. "We all feel a bit deflated the way it ended, but we can't forget where we were a year ago, where we were standing, outside of the top six and the position that we were in with the squad.

"And while we didn't get the fairytale ending this time, we will get it in the future. I have no doubts."

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Former Scotland goalkeeper Cammy Bell says he would choose Craig Gordon "all day long" to start the opening World Cup match against Haiti despite the 43-year-old's age and lack of game time this season.

Gordon had not featured for Hearts since January when he played the opening 45 minutes of Saturday's 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden.

But Bell, who is four years younger than Gordon and retired six years ago, feels "the experience he's got" is something Scotland will need "going on such a big stage" at the finals in the United States.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, Bell said: "There's going to be a huge amount of pressure on the team and the players to go and get a result in that first game," he said.

"Yes, Gordon has not played a lot this season, but we could have said that in previous games for Scotland where he's had to step in, he's had to come in cold and perform and he manages to do that. He makes big moments, he makes big saves.

"I just think the experience will get him through it, I really do."

Rangers' Liam Kelly played his third game since January when taking over from Gordon for the second half against Curacao, while Angus Gunn has played once for Nottingham Forest this year and his only other outing was in Scotland's friendly defeat by Japan in March.

"That probably plays in the favour of Craig Gordon that the other two that he's competing against haven't had a lot of game time this season either," Bell suggested.

"So, for me, it would be Craig Gordon purely going by his experience and certainly as well you've got to mention he's still a top, top goalkeeper as well.

"If you've not played a lot of games, you're relying on your experience. And that's why I've got to sway towards Craig Gordon.

"He's got so much experience, over 80 caps for Scotland. That's a huge amount of experience on his shoulders and he'll walk into this no problem for me."

Falkirk and Hearts have agreed a fee for Calvin Miller and the 28-year-old winger will join the Edinburgh club once he has completed a medical. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hearts are close to finalising the signing of 24-year-old forward Amadou Ba-Sy from Rouen as well as Falkirk winger Calvin Miller. (Hearts Standard), external

Estoril sports director Helena Costa says they are still planning for next season with Ian Cathro as head coach but admits there is a lot of interest in the former Hearts and Dundee United boss. (The Herald), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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